Prince Harry is set to “protest” a Buckingham Palace offer amid the Duke of Sussex’s “continued mission”, a royal commentator has claimed.
Harry, 40, is set to make another solo visit to the UK for a seven-week trial against News Group Newspapers, publishers of The Sun.
The Duke of Sussex will appear at the High Court without Meghan Markle for his ongoing legal battle over alleged unlawful information-gathering and invasion of privacy.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggests the duke will likely opt for hotel accommodation rather than staying at Buckingham Palace in a form of “protest”, as he did during his previous court appearance in 2023.
Prince Harry tipped to ‘protest’ Buckingham Palace offer amid Duke of Sussex’s ‘mission’
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The high-profile case will see Harry face cross-examination by NGN’s barrister alongside former Labour deputy leader, Lord Tom Watson.
NGN has denied the phone hacking allegations, having settled over 1,000 cases without admitting liability.
Speaking at a New York City summit, Harry addressed those who have settled their claims against the publisher.
“They’ve settled because they’ve had to settle,” the Duke said. “Therefore, one of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability, because I’m the last person that can actually achieve that.”
Harry’s civil case against NGN was originally expected to go to trial in 2024
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The duke has accused NGN of targeting him with various unlawful information-collecting practices, including phone hacking.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Fitzwilliams questioned Harry’s previous decision to reject Palace accommodation.
“We do know that Buckingham Palace was offered for the last visit and rejected in favour of a hotel,” he said.
“Now, that’s never been explained. I don’t understand. It’s obviously part of a protest.”
Prince Harry chose to stay in a hotel during previous visits to the UK
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The royal commentator highlighted ongoing security concerns surrounding the duke’s visits.
“So far as security is concerned, we know he’s appealing the Home Office’s decision not to automatically grant him security,” Fitzwilliams noted.
“Who would have thought he’d prefer a hotel to Buckingham Palace?” he added.
Fitzwilliams told GB News that Harry remains committed to his “mission of cleaning up the British press.”
He concluded his remarks by highlighting the ongoing legal challenges facing the Duke of Sussex.
Prince Harry’s bitter legal battle against NGN set to go to trial in January 2025Getty
The royal commentator emphasised that Harry’s security concerns would likely remain prominent during his UK visit.
These issues “are likely to be very prominent and very newsworthy,” Fitzwilliams told GB News.
The seven-week trial is expected to draw significant media attention as Harry continues his legal campaign against British tabloids.
