Prince Harry's Buckingham Palace Snub Got a Verdict — And It Wasn't What the Palace Hoped
A YouGov poll taken after the palace's snub reveals a surprising twist for Prince Harry, following his denied Buckingham Palace stay.
Prince Harry's five-day visit to the UK has begun amid notable tension over a public disagreement about his accommodation. Hours before his arrival on July 6, Buckingham Palace confirmed he would not be staying at the royal residence, citing logistical issues after he missed a deadline for acceptance. This situation highlights the strained relationship between the Duke and the royal family, especially since his visit coincided with a significant court judgment in his ongoing legal battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail — a case he lost today. However, the fiasco has gained significant sympathy from royal supporters, as reports suggest Britons now believe the snub was an unfair move by the royal family, especially since Harry wished to bring his family along for a potential reconciliation.
In the midst of the current controversy surrounding Prince Harry's lodging, a YouGov survey revealed that nearly half of Britons supported his stay at Buckingham Palace during his visit to the UK. According to Newsweek, a survey of 6,323 adults indicated that 48% of respondents are in favor of Harry staying at the royal residence, 27% are against it, and 25% are unsure. YouGov found that Britons were almost twice as likely to be in favor of Prince Harry's stay in Buckingham Palace as to be against it, with the greatest support coming from younger and middle-aged adults. 49% of respondents between the ages of 50 and 64 agreed with Harry's stay, as did half of those between the ages of 25 and 49. Those 65 and older showed the biggest resistance, with 35% of them opposing his stay, while 46% of them still supported it. The greatest degree of uncertainty was shown by the younger adults (18 to 24), with 40% answering "don't know." However, 42% of respondents agreed that Harry should stay at Buckingham Palace, while 18% disagreed.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry's last-minute request to stay at Buckingham Palace was denied, citing concerns over his changing plans and the judgment on his privacy claim against Associated Newspapers. Palace officials were allegedly alarmed by the request for accommodation on the same day the High Court was expected to deliver its verdict, as it could be perceived as King Charles being connected to the legal decision. After initially declining an invitation, Harry attempted to reverse his decision, but it was too late for necessary arrangements to be made, leading to royal sources confirming the invitation could not be honored.
Harry's representatives disputed the palace's decision to withdraw the offer, questioning its initial availability and communication. They maintained he had acted in good faith, spending the prior week arranging private security after officials denied his family taxpayer-funded police protection. The episode has also fueled uncertainty over whether Harry and King Charles will meet at all during the visit, with no confirmation of a planned reunion.
