Prince Harry Cites Security Concerns for Not Staying at Royal Palace During London Visit

Prince Harry’s recent brief stop in London to promote the Invictus Games raised eyebrows as he chose not to stay at the Royal Palace or any crown estate. The Duke of Sussex revealed that the decision was driven by security concerns.

Despite making several requests to see King Charles, Prince Harry was informed that his father had a “full program” but had arranged for Harry to stay at a secret royal residence. The security issue has been a significant concern since Harry and Meghan moved to their Montecito home in the United States.

The controversy over their security detail arose after the couple stepped down from their royal duties. The Crown decided that since Harry and Meghan were no longer working royals, they would not receive the benefits of royal security funded by British taxpayers. This decision led to questions about the financial implications and the necessity of providing security for non-working royals.

Without royal security, staying at a visible royal estate was deemed too risky for Harry. The estates have public entrance and exit points, and without police protection, they were not considered secure enough. This reasoning led Harry to stay at an undisclosed location during his London visit, with St James’ Palace being a rumored option.

While initially, it appeared that King Charles did not have time for his estranged son, the situation clarified that the security concerns were a significant factor. The Duke of Sussex remains hopeful for a future meeting, understanding the commitments and priorities of his father.