Harry’s bad news came at the wrong time, but the prince is sticking to the script

It’s been a tough week for the Chiefs and today added to that sense of chaos.

This was a planned trip with his wife Meghan and their children. That, at least for the start of the tour, appears to have been defeated by a clash over security concerns.

The Duke apparently hopes to stay at Buckingham Palace. But the controversy over the lodge was a disaster for all concerned and he could not officially stay there.

That made the group wonder if there was any way they could host someone for one night.

The court defeat is just one in a long campaign by Prince Harry against what he sees as unfair press coverage.

It is clearly a personal matter. He has opposed what he sees as harmful press intrusions into his personal life and relationships.

It’s really a raw wound. Going back to his mother Princess Diana’s treatment.

But that campaign against the tabloids, with some victories, especially against the Mirror team, looks set to end.

It is still unclear if the group of seven petitioners – all of whom lost – will appeal against the ANL result. But there seems to be no plan for any hot issues.

This week raises big questions about what happens next for Prince Harry.

Maybe it’s a cautionary tale.

He is back in England to promote next year’s Invictus Games in Birmingham.

But questions remain over his relationship with other members of the royal family and whether he will be reunited with his father, King Charles III.

Maybe they will meet. And his wife, Meghan, could still arrive in England this week, surrounded by the media circus that goes with it.

Along with another timeline, her food brand, like Ever, sent out an announcement email Tuesday afternoon: “Back to Strawberry.”

Was it sending a message?

It seems unlikely that the Duke will see his brother Prince William, who is 10 miles away on his own engagement, but could be on the other side of the Atlantic.

Relations with the palace must be rocky after an unproductive war of words over whether he is to stay at Buckingham Palace. Trust should be brief.

None of that is what Prince Harry wants to talk about this week.

On this set of Evictus, in a room full of military uniforms, there were inspiring stories of resilience against adversity.

International representatives were there, including from Ukraine.

Prince Harry’s speech to Invictus may have hit something close to home.

He asked: “The spark that ignites recovery, rebuilds self-confidence and reconnects people to a supportive community.”

But while Prince Harry stuck to the script, events had other ideas.