Buckingham Palace and Prince Harry's representatives have offered conflicting accounts over accommodation arrangements for the Duke of Sussex's visit to London this week, highlighting continuing tensions between the two sides.


Buckingham Palace said Prince Harry would not be staying at the palace during his visit because he did not formally accept an earlier offer of accommodation before the deadline at the end of last week. Royal sources said the duke was informed over the weekend that it was no longer possible for him to stay at Buckingham Palace, as advance notice is required to prepare a royal residence and assign household staff, BBC reports. 


According to the palace, Prince Harry's team initially failed to confirm whether the offer would be accepted and formally declined it in correspondence on Saturday. Palace officials said the duke's representatives later reversed their decision and accepted the invitation the same day, but by then it was too late to make the necessary arrangements.


Royal sources also said there were concerns about the prince staying at the palace while a court ruling in his legal case against Associated Newspapers was due to be published on Tuesday, arguing that it could compromise King Charles III's constitutional position.


Prince Harry's spokesperson disputed the palace's account, saying the duke had accepted the invitation and that the offer was subsequently withdrawn.


The spokesperson said they understood the accommodation offer had now been "withdrawn" and described the decision as "disappointing".


Responding to the palace's explanation, the spokesperson added: "It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment."


The Sussex team also rejected suggestions that the timing of the court case influenced the decision, saying the publication date of the ruling had already been known last week.


Despite the disagreement, Prince Harry is expected to travel to the United Kingdom on July 6 and carry out his scheduled engagements, beginning with an event in London on July 7.


By Sabina Mammadli