Prince Harry is set to make a solo journey to the UK next month for his ongoing trial at the High Court, and experts suggest he may use this visit to send a message to the royal family.

According to royal author Richard Fitzwilliam, Harry is likely to reject an offer from the royal family to stay at Buckingham Palace during his visit, opting instead for a hotel as a form of “protest.” Fitzwilliam told GB News, “We know that Buckingham Palace was offered for the last visit and rejected in favor of a hotel. Now, that’s never been explained. I don’t understand. It’s obviously part of a protest.” He also noted, “Considering security, we know he’s appealing the Home Office’s decision not to automatically grant him security. Who would have thought he’d prefer a hotel to Buckingham Palace?”

Harry’s upcoming trip to London will be without Meghan Markle, who is expected to remain in Montecito with their two children, as she has during previous visits. It’s unclear whether Harry will meet any family members, given his strained relationship with the royals. Reports suggest Prince William has cut ties with his brother, and King Charles was “too busy” to see Harry during his last visit in May 2024.

Since stepping down as working royals five years ago, Harry and Meghan have become largely estranged from the family, especially after making several critical allegations against the monarchy. This separation is particularly painful for King Charles, who has had limited interactions with Harry and Meghan’s children.

It’s believed he has only met his granddaughter Lilibet once. According to royal expert Jennie Bond, “It must remain a great sadness to the King to be so distant from his two US-based grandchildren—he hardly knows them and there’s no prospect of that changing any time soon.”

Harry has only made a few trips back to the UK in recent years, including attending the funerals of Prince Philip and the late Queen, and a brief visit to see Charles after his cancer diagnosis. Since losing his taxpayer-funded security upon leaving the Royal Family, Harry has expressed concerns about the safety of bringing his wife and children to the UK.