The news came to him in markedly different circumstances than his grandmother’s death. At the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan were in the UK for various charity work, but were not included in all family communications.
The duke was forced to fly to Balmoral alone as other senior royals, including Prince William, were also on the plane. A Palace statement was then released before he arrived in Aberdeen, where he learned from breaking news that his grandmother had passed away.
It is unclear where Prince Harry will be staying after being asked to return the keys to his Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage.
The Sussexes are effectively “homeless” in the UK and must obtain permission from Buckingham Palace to stay on royal grounds.
The duke’s last flight was in September, when he stayed in a hotel. He was in London for the WellChild Awards, an annual charity event held on the eve of the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
He was unable to meet his father at Balmoral due to separate diary commitments, but asked if he could stay at Windsor Castle instead. Then the next day he could easily visit the late Queen’s resting place in St. George’s Chapel. . At that time, permission was denied.
Royal officials stressed at the time that such provisions would be made where possible, but that the palace must be given appropriate warnings about such visits.
The duke has also been stripped of his right to automatic police protection while in the UK and typically travels with his own security team. The decision is subject to judicial review, pending a High Court judge’s decision.