Ahead of Prince Harry’s return to the UK this month, there has been a “three-way silence” surrounding the security arrangements that will be in place for the Duke and his family.
Since stepping back as working royals, Harry, his wife Meghan Markle, and their two children lost the right to automatic taxpayer-funded 24-hour security. Harry, who employed a private security team while living in the US, previously tried unsuccessfully to challenge rulings on the protection he was entitled to while in the UK.
Upon their return to British soil, the Duke and Duchess will remain as private individuals and non-working royals, in keeping with the agreement made in 2020. While there’s the question of what level of security the Sussexes will have once they land back in the UK, HELLO!’s royal editor, Emily Nash, tells HELLO’s A Right Royal Podcast: “Well, there’s a bit of a three-way silence on this particular angle of the story. And as we know, Harry said as recently as last year, he couldn’t see a world in which he would bring Meghan and the children back to the UK because he feared for their lives. You know, he was really talking about it in such stark terms.
“I mean, the fact that the meeting with the King went unnoticed back in July until they announced it. And the fact that they were able to move about, and we know have quite a lovely summer holiday in the United Kingdom without being seen by anyone really showed that that wasn’t necessarily the case.”
Emily adds: “But that being said, obviously some kind of arrangement is now in place that they are satisfied with, and that has meant they are happy to move back here.”
“Now, sources close to Harry are not commenting on it at the moment. The Home Office, interestingly, is also not commenting, saying they wouldn’t get into specifics of individual cases. Because naturally that could undermine any security provision.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared Harry’s security a “private matter”.
© Getty Images“I think a lot of members of the public might disagree that it’s a private matter,” Emily says. “This is something that’s gone through the High Court in this country. It’s been the subject of endless legal wrangles by Harry. And the suggestion that he may now be receiving taxpayer-funded security is one that people will want to fully understand. But I think that’s something that’s going to come out in the next few days. It feels to me like they are dropping this story bit by bit to let people get used to the idea.”
Prince Harry’s security
According to a new report by the Daily Telegraph, Harry has allegedly made a private plea to Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary. The publication reported that a risk assessment was carried out by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) in July, but its findings have not been shared with Harry.
© Getty ImagesIn July, HELLO! revealed that Harry was planning to renew his security quest following a reunion between his children and his father, King Charles. A source told HELLO!: “He will pursue it until RAVEC agree to enact the terms of reference that were made clear in front of a judge in the judicial review. It’s about the Home Office doing what they committed to in court.”
Harry previously lost his challenge at the Court of Appeal over his personal security arrangements while in the UK.
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