Prince Harry could not help flashing a huge smile as he waved to waiting fans outside Chatham House on Monday ahead of the Invictus Games Foundation Conversation. The event marks the first of the Duke of Sussex's public engagements during his return trip to the UK for the international sporting competition he founded in 2014. The Invictus Games are set to be held in Birmingham next year, with Prince Harry, 41, kicking off the One Year to Go celebrations this month.
Palace accommodation offer withdrawn
While Harry appeared cheerful at the London event, his arrival comes after an awkward royal mishap. His spokesman announced that the former royal would stay at Buckingham Palace – only for the offer to be withdrawn moments later. Prince Harry reportedly accepted the offer too late, meaning the palace could not make the necessary arrangements for his visit.
It is understood that Meghan Markle and the couple's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will not join Harry for the London portion of the visit due to a lack of police security. In a statement after the confusion, the Duke's spokesman said: 'I am aware of multiple briefings from Buckingham Palace last week suggesting that the Duke had not accepted the offer of accommodation at a Royal Residence. Following RAVEC's decision not to provide security for his family, the duke spent last week making alternative security arrangements. Once those arrangements were in place, he was able to formally accept the offer of accommodation for himself over the weekend. It is therefore disappointing that the offer has now been withdrawn, with Tuesday's judgment in the Associated Newspapers Limited case cited as the reason. Buckingham Palace has, however, been aware of that judgment since last Thursday. It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment.'
Royal tensions persist
It is currently unclear whether there are plans for Harry to meet with King Charles, whom he reunited with in September after not seeing each other for over a year. Things have been tense between the Sussexes and the rest of the family since their decision to exit royal duties. The couple have now settled in California and have rarely returned to the UK after being stripped of taxpayer-funded protection afforded to royals. It is believed that Meghan and the children may join Harry later in the visit, once he has left the capital.
