King Charles hosted a rare family dinner for senior royals at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh last night, just days before Prince Harry's imminent return to the UK. The dinner included Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward, according to the Daily Mail. The gathering was private, with no official record of discussions, but Harry's upcoming visit is thought to have been a topic.
Royal Gathering in Scotland
Charles and Queen Camilla are in Scotland for their annual week of engagements. William attended an event in Aberdeen yesterday, while Anne and Edward appeared in Edinburgh. The King hosted a 'dine and sleep' at Holyroodhouse before today's Order of the Thistle Service at St Giles Cathedral, where Charles, Camilla, William, and Edward participated in a procession wearing traditional robes and plumed hats. The Order of the Thistle is Scotland's highest order of chivalry, with 16 members recognized for contributions to national life.
Harry's Security Dispute
Prince Harry's planned five-day visit to the UK next week with wife Meghan and children Archie and Lilibet remains uncertain due to a security dispute. The Mirror reported that the King is still waiting for Harry to accept an offer to stay at a royal residence. Royal sources expressed frustration that Harry has not replied to Buckingham Palace regarding the offer, which aims to alleviate his security concerns. The Home Office refused Harry's last-ditch appeal for taxpayer-funded security, leaving him in what sources describe as 'an impossible situation.'
Harry has been engaged in a legal battle with the Home Office over security since he and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in March 2020. He is awaiting a review by the Risk Management Board, part of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec). A royal source said: '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.'
Harry's Planned Engagements
Harry plans to attend public engagements during his stay, including a ceremony at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on July 10 to celebrate the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games. Meghan was set to join him on stage, but the trip was jeopardized after the Home Office refused to bow to Harry's demands. Friends of the Duke say he 'is not in a good place' and believes 'dark forces' are blocking him from bringing his family to meet the King for the first time since the Platinum Jubilee in summer 2022. There is hope Charles will reunite with his youngest grandchildren, whom he has not seen in four years.
Other Royal Engagements
Princess Anne left Scotland today to travel to France, where she and the Duke of Gloucester attended commemorations for the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
