Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been back in the UK for less than a month. Despite this, their time in Britain could be short-lived if insiders are to be believed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shocked the world when they announced their intention to return from California, more than six years after quitting as working royals with Megxit. The decision came as a surprise to many, but within days the couple were on a flight to Birmingham Airport with their children Archie and Lilibet.
Harry’s row over state-funded security could throw a spanner into the works, though. Those close to the couple told the Daily Mail that the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) decision on his security will have a bearing on whether the family stays in the UK.
Ravec oversees state-funded security for royalty and public figures. Harry and Meghan lost their right to state-funded security after they stood down as working royals in 2020 but Harry claims he and his family need the security to be safe in the UK.
Ravec is set to reconsider Harry and Meghan’s level of police protection now they and their two children are full-time UK residents rather than merely visitors.
It will assess the risks they face in their new home and in their day-to-day life, such as on the school run and any other regular trips.
Those close to the couple claimed to the Daily Mail that Harry and Meghan could return to Montecito in California for good if the decision goes against them, possibly as soon as the October half-term holiday at the end of next month. Harry and Meghan have not spoken publicly on suggestions they will head back to the USA.
It comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex changed their children’s school only days after they enrolled over security concerns sparked by the traffic run.
The names of the schools have not been disclosed, but the family’s private security team have been concerned over the distance and the heavy traffic on the original route.
It comes just weeks after royal commentator Dickie Arbiter suggested Harry and Meghan could be set to leave the UK just weeks after arriving. Dickie was the late Queen’s press spokesman from 1988 to 2000 and is an outspoken critic of the Sussexes.
He made his comments during a chat with TalkTV host Jeremy Kyle after reports Harry and Meghan were “surprised” by King Charles’s official confirmation that they would be regarded as “private citizens”.
Charles directed the Royal Household’s highest-ranking official, the Lord Chamberlain, to communicate with key Government and military stakeholders regarding protocols for their status. The letter confirmed that they could not use their ‘HRH’ titles.
Dickie said: “I’m not sure they are here long-term. I firmly believe that they will go back to Montecito for Christmas because that’s where her mother is. Everybody talks about reconciliation with the King but what about reconciliation with Thomas Markle.”