Prince Harry can’t stay at Buckingham Palace despite accepting King Charles' offer

It appears that Buckingham Palace aren't take a mi casa es su casa approach when it comes to offering Prince Harry a place to rest his head.

The Duke of Sussex, 41, had accepted King Charles' invitation to stay at the royal residence while he's in London this week - before it was then withdrawn at the eleventh hour.

He has been left 'disappointed' by the last minute change of plans according to his spokesperson, who claimed that this was all a done deal before it suddenly went awry on Monday (6 July) morning.

Harry - who resides in Montecito, California, these days with his wife Meghan Markle and their two kids - is heading back to the UK to attend an event marking the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games in Birmingham.

He's also going to be taking part in other public engagements and originally, it was hoped that he would be bringing his brood across the pond with him.

However, the father-of-two decided against this after his bid to obtain police protection was denied. Had it gone ahead, it is believed the security would be funded by taxpayers.

But leaving his kids at home hasn't stopped further chaos erupting, as Harry's accommodation arrangements have since gone pear-shaped.

Harry won't be staying at a royal residence while he's in the UK (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Earlier this morning, a representative for the Duke announced that he had accepted his father's offer to stay at a royal residence while he is in the UK.

Last week, it was reported that King Charles had not received any confirmation that he wanted to do so - but according to Harry's camp, that's because he was busy 'making alternative security arrangements'.

Regardless of what delayed his response, he took up the invitation far too late in the eyes of Buckingham Palace.

The appropriate hospitality and staffing provision was said to be no longer available due to him belatedly submitting a response.

Reports claim that the Duke initially turned down the offer for himself and his family on Saturday (4 July), before making a U-turn later in the day and asking to stay himself.

Although every effort was made to facilitate Harry’s stay, as a courtesy to staff and others involved, the Royal Household requires a minimum level of notice to ensure he could be hosted appropriately at a royal residence.

The palace reportedly weren't able to make the appropriate arrangements due to his delayed response to King Charles' invitation (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Buckingham Palace is also said to believe that the longstanding legal case against Associated Newspaper had complicated the matter, and could compromise the King’s constitutional position.

Harry and a group of other household names are set to find out on Tuesday whether they have won their High Court cases against the Daily Mail’s publisher, in an expected written ruling by Mr Justice Nicklin.

Explaining why he is now not staying at one of the monarch's pads, a spokesman for Harry said: "I am aware of multiple briefings from Buckingham Palace last week suggesting that the Duke had not accepted the offer of accommodation at a Royal Residence.

"Following the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures' (RAVEC) decision not to provide security for his family, the duke spent last week making alternative security arrangements.

"Once those arrangements were in place, he was able to formally accept the offer of accommodation for himself over the weekend.

Details of a reunion between the father and son have not been publicised (Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

"It is therefore disappointing that the offer has now been withdrawn, with Tuesday’s judgment in the Associated Newspapers Limited case cited as the reason," Harry's spokesman continued.

"Buckingham Palace has, however, been aware of that judgment since last Thursday. It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment."

The decision by the Palace was said to have been taken in consultation with the King, while the outcome was communicated to Harry through the appropriate channels.

It is understood that royal residences will be made available for King Charles and the late Princess Diana's youngest son if and when he returns to the UK in the future.

It is also not yet known when or whether Harry will see his father during his trip. He's pretty chock-a-block, as he's scheduled to take make five days of appearances in London and Birmingham.

Meghan is supposed to join him in the latter on Friday (10 July), where they will promote the 2027 Invictus Games. Harry launched the charity in aid of wounded servicemen back in 2014.