Prince Harry 'turned down a meeting with King Charles in London because it did not come with security provision' despite having an offer to stay at a royal residence

Prince Harry declined an invitation from King Charles to stay at a royal residence during a recent visit to the UK due to security concerns, according to The Telegraph. The report suggests that Harry turned down his father's offer because it did not include taxpayer-funded personal security, which would leave him exposed in a location with public access and no police protection.

Prince Harry reportedly rejected the chance to stay at a royal residence and potentially meet with his father over security concerns. Pictured: Charles and Harry at the Invictus Games opening in London in 2014

Instead, Harry opted to stay at a hotel, allowing him greater privacy and the ability to come and go unnoticed. This decision underscores his ongoing concerns about safety and his dissatisfaction with the current security arrangements following the withdrawal of his automatic right to police protection after stepping back from royal duties. Harry's choice reflects his need for a security setup he feels confident in, even if it means staying in a more public environment like a hotel.

The newspaper further reported that the Duke of Sussex 'remains devastated' about losing his automatic right to police protection, a matter he is still contesting with the Home Office in the British courts. Currently, Harry must provide the Metropolitan Police with 28 days' notice before traveling to the UK to apply for security provision. Each request is individually assessed by Ravec, the committee responsible for the protection of royalty and public figures.

On his arrival in the UK earlier this month Harry had suggested he wouldn't meet Charles as his father was 'too busy'. Pictured: King Charles visits the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 20 

Although the specific royal residence offered by King Charles was not disclosed, St James' Palace is considered a likely possibility. St James' Palace houses permanent apartments for Princess Beatrice and rooms used by Princess Anne and other royal family members on an ad hoc basis. Additionally, it is located next to Clarence House, where the King stays when in London, which would have facilitated private meetings between Harry and his father. The palace is guarded around the clock, providing a high level of security not available at typical London hotels.

The Duke of Sussex is reported to still be devastated by the withdrawal of his taxpayer-funded security. Pictured: Harry leaves the 10th Anniversary Invictus Games service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London on May 8

All royal residences, regardless of which one was offered to Harry, feature armed guards at entry and exit points and have the most sophisticated security systems in the country, unlike any London hotel. This ensures maximum security for working members of the royal family.

Buckingham Palace has consistently declined to comment on matters regarding Harry and his father. However, a spokesman for Prince Harry issued a statement when he visited London at the beginning of May for a service marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a polo fundraiser event in Lagos, Nigeria, on May 12

The statement from Prince Harry's spokesman during his May visit to London for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games strongly suggested that while Harry was keen to meet his father, King Charles was effectively 'too busy' to see him. However, it has since become clear that despite His Majesty's packed schedule, the King had made efforts to enable a meeting with his son.

Pictured: King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 20

Harry spent three nights in London without seeing any family members before meeting his wife, Meghan, at Heathrow Airport and flying to Nigeria for a quasi-royal tour.

In 2020, Harry applied for a judicial review over the decision to strip his family of publicly-funded police protection when they stepped back from royal duties and left the UK. A 'bespoke' security arrangement was established, requiring each visit to be assessed individually. Harry has accused the Home Office of treating him 'unlawfully and unfairly,' claiming he is being singled out as 'punishment.' He offered to pay for his own security but was told the Metropolitan Police could not be treated as a service for 'hire.'

In February, Harry lost his legal challenge and faced an estimated £1 million legal bill. Despite this, he vowed to continue fighting, expressing concerns about the safety of bringing his wife and children to the UK under the current arrangements. According to The Telegraph, Harry has only been granted police protection during royal events, such as the late Queen's funeral, or when he met the King from Heathrow in February after his cancer diagnosis. When traveling to and from his hotel in February, Harry only had private bodyguards.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on these matters, and a request for comment was also put to the Sussexes' UK spokesman.