Prince Harry will not be staying at Buckingham Palace this week after accepting King Charles' royal accommodation offer too late.
HELLO! understands that Harry formerly rejected the offer from his estranged father ahead of his imminent UK visit on Saturday, before changing his mind later in the day - narrowly missing the deadline.
The Duke of Sussex is set to return to the UK for a five-day visit on Tuesday, during which he will mark the countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games, and the question of where he will stay now remains up in the air.
It's understood that his wife Meghan Markle and his children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, will not travel to the capital due to concerns over how they will be protected and confusion over where they will stay.
Harry was initially reported to be staying solo at the vacant 775-room property, which is currently undergoing a £369 million refurbishment, during his time in London, but it seems he will now be forced to make alternative plans.
Prince Harry is preparing to celebrate the one-year countdown to the Birmingham Invictus Games, but his family's travel plans remain uncertain.
The delay stems from a pending assessment by the Risk Management Board, a crucial step in how the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) determines his security needs.
© Getty ImagesAlthough the father-of-two learned on Friday that this official review has not yet occurred, his security team is actively collaborating behind the scenes to ensure the trip can be conducted safely.
Harry previously emphasised his commitment to the event, stating he is looking into all available solutions to make the visit possible.
It is thought that Meghan and the children might join Harry for the rest of the trip outside of London.
© ABC / Meghan MarkleAn olive branch from King Charles
Following the news that Harry was offered a place to stay at Buckingham Palace, a reunion with his estranged father King Charles seems increasingly likely.
It was initially reported in June that Harry would be staying in a royal residence when he travelled across the Atlantic.
Buckingham Palace seemed a solid choice for the royal, affording him space and privacy thanks to its mammoth size. It would also have provided necessary distance from King Charles and Queen Camilla, who primarily reside at Clarence House.
© Getty ImagesRoyal fans remain hopeful Charles will be able to reunite with his youngest grandchildren for the first time in four years.
Archie and Lilibet last saw their grandfather in person during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 – this was the only time Lilibet has met him.
Prince Harry's plans in the UK
Prince Harry is kicking off his trip with an Invictus Games Foundation event at Chatham House, which will bring together experts, policymakers and members of the Invictus Community.
© Getty ImagesThe next engagement will potentially involve his wife Meghan, with the pair carrying out their first joint engagements in the UK since their decision to step down as senior royals in 2020. Harry is expected to meet Chelsea pensioners at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
As Patron of WellChild, Harry is also due to visit the Birmingham Children's Hospital to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first WellChild Nurse.
At the NEC, Harry will also watch and take part in a series of events alongside competitors from previous Invictus Games.
Family plans have not yet been confirmed, but Harry is thought to be bringing his children to visit their late grandmother, Princess Diana, and her final resting place on Althorp Estate, according to a report by The Sun.
An earlier version of this story stated that Prince Harry would be staying at Buckingham Palace. However, a palace spokesperson later clarified that this was no longer possible.
