In a notable development, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is reported to have declined an offer from King Charles for a royal residency during his recent visit to the UK. Sources close to the royal family reveal that despite the offer of accommodation, Harry chose to stay in a hotel instead.
This decision comes after Harry vacated Frogmore Cottage last year, leaving him without an official residence in the UK. The purpose of Harry’s visit was to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games. King Charles, recognizing the potential logistical challenges Harry might face, extended the offer of a royal residency to facilitate Harry’s visit and enable him to spend time with his father, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment.
The situation surrounding the potential meeting between Prince Harry and King Charles III during Harry’s recent visit to the UK remains unclear. While sources close to Harry claim that he had requested to see his father well in advance, and that the meeting was “long on the radar,” friends of the King assert that Harry neither requested a meeting nor invited his father to attend the service at St Paul’s Cathedral last Tuesday.
They cite the King’s busy schedule, which included attending a Buckingham Palace garden party, holding a weekly audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and undertaking a military engagement in Wiltshire, as a potential reason for the lack of a meeting. Despite their close proximity, with Harry addressing an audience just two miles away from St Paul’s Cathedral, the Duke and the King did not meet during this visit.
The recent decision by Prince Harry to decline the offer of a royal residency has sparked speculation about the state of his relationship with his father, King Charles. According to a friend of the King, the situation is described as “very sad.”
While the King was not expected to warmly welcome Prince Harry’s recent Invictus trip announcement, given the advice from doctors to focus on his treatment and recovery, there are differing accounts regarding whether the King refused to accommodate Prince Harry in his schedule.
As Prince Harry continues his journey outside of royal duties, his interactions with the royal family are closely monitored by the media and those who follow royal affairs. This situation highlights the ongoing scrutiny and interest surrounding Prince Harry’s new life and his connections with the royal family.
