Prince Harry has been accused of acting "like a spoilt celebrity" by royal expert Ingrid Seward after a last-minute change to his UK travel plans. The Duke of Sussex will now travel alone to London amid ongoing security concerns, leaving King Charles "in the dark" about arrangements to see his grandchildren.
Last-minute change sparks criticism
Within a 24-hour period last weekend, Harry initially announced he would bring his family to the UK for the first time in four years. However, he quickly reversed the decision, and it was confirmed today that he will travel alone due to security worries. Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told the Mirror: "Harry is lost in his own anxiety about his family and behaving like an entitled prince who either gets his way, or it's no way. He is behaving more like a spoilt celebrity than the second son of the King."
King Charles kept in the dark
King Charles had offered royal accommodation to the Sussexes to facilitate the visit, but palace insiders expressed frustration that Harry had not confirmed his plans and failed to respond to Buckingham Palace regarding security proposals. A royal source commented: "Buckingham Palace is still waiting for the Duke's decision. It is incredibly frustrating given arrangements need to be made to facilitate any guest of the King's accepting an invitation to visit a royal residence."
Security dispute continues
The Duke's dispute over taxpayer-funded security has caused distress on both sides. Harry had pledged to examine "every available option" to bring his family, but sources revealed he was placed "in an impossible situation" after the Home Office rejected his final appeal to finance a security team. The couple have earned tens of millions of pounds since stepping back from royal duties in March 2020, prompting critics to argue they should cover their own security costs.
The Risk Management Board (RMB) review, part of the process determining security needs, is still pending. A government spokesperson stated: "It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on protective security arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' security."
Possible meeting outside London
While Meghan and the couple's two children will not accompany Harry to London, reports indicate they may follow him to Birmingham for significant events later in the week, ahead of next year's Invictus Games in the city. It remains uncertain whether King Charles might still meet his grandchildren outside the capital.
Harry had hoped to bring his family to see his father for the first time since summer 2022, when they attended the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. He previously told the BBC: "I can't see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point and the things they're going to miss is, well, everything. You know I love my country, I always have done despite what some people in the country have done."
Impact on royal relations
The prince has arranged a five-day visit next week with several public appearances. Associates stated he "is not in a good place" and maintains "dark forces" are responsible for preventing him from travelling with his family. The King is scheduled for public engagements next week, but Buckingham Palace declined to comment on private family matters. Talks on security for the latter stages of the visit are ongoing, with no firm conclusion reached.
