Prince Harry to stay at royal residence amid ‘frustrating’ UK security delay

Prince Harry has reportedly grown “increasingly frustrated” that a review into his claim for taxpayer-funded security has taken six months – forcing him to reverse his decision to accept King Charles’ offer of staying at a royal residence, so he can bring his family to the UK.

The Duke of Sussex, 41, along with his wife, Meghan, 44, and their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, is scheduled to travel to the UK on the first weekend of July for a week-long stay. The visit will mark the first time the entire family has been in the UK together in four years, since Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

On Friday, July 10, Harry will reportedly be joined by Meghan on stage at the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games, set to be held in Birmingham.

Harry has previously stated that the country of his birth is “not safe” for his family, as he could not guarantee their protection. However, he has now had a change of heart and accepted an offer to stay at a royal residence, believed to be Buckingham Palace, to facilitate the family’s visit.

In recent years, Harry has been engaged in a lengthy legal battle with the British government over the removal of his taxpayer-funded security while in the UK.

Harry’s access to police protection was revoked following his and Meghan’s 2020 decision to step back from royal duties and relocate to the United States.

He initially filed a case at the High Court, which he lost last year, before escalating the matter to the Court of Appeal, which declined to overturn the ruling. Rather than receiving an outright rejection of police protection, Harry was told he would be placed under a customized arrangement requiring him to provide the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) with 30 days’ notice of any planned UK visit along with his itinerary.

However, the Duke of Sussex continued to press the issue, writing to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to request a review. In December, he was granted a new risk assessment, which he was told would take “a matter of weeks.” It has now been finalized, but Harry has not been notified of the result.

A source close to the Duke told The Mirror, “He has grown increasingly frustrated with the whole process and has had to alter his standpoint. From initially being told a decision would be made within a matter of weeks, it is now more than six months on. He (Harry) was determined to travel back to the UK with his family around the Invictus event, so he has finally made the decision to accept the offer of staying at a royal residence which he believes will be sufficient for this trip.”

Harry has declined offers to stay at a royal residence during his previous solo trips to the UK since stepping down from his role in 2020.

He lost a High Court battle and a subsequent hearing at the Court of Appeal last year, before launching a final personal appeal to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. In a letter, Harry is understood to have argued that threats against his safety persist, despite his departure from the royal fold. Royal sources have confirmed that Harry is expected to meet the King with his wife and children during their stay.

Reports in January suggested that sources close to Harry considered a change to the decision to award him security in the UK “a formality.”

But the Home Secretary has still not decided whether to reverse the decision made by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC), or tell Harry that the position stands.

Sources close to the Sussexes have also revealed that the Duchess has taken a “considerable interest” in the Invictus Games – Harry’s crowning achievement – and was “determined” to make the visit to Birmingham.

The Olympics-style sporting competition featuring injured service personnel from around the globe has achieved worldwide recognition.

The Birmingham event represents a homecoming for Harry’s signature initiative, which launched in his native country in 2014. It will mark the first time Meghan has traveled to the UK, aside from transiting through Heathrow, since the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022.

Harry and Meghan’s popularity ratings with the British public have declined significantly in recent years, following their use of broadcast interviews and Harry’s explosive memoir to criticize the royal family.

After losing his security appeal at the Court of Appeal, Harry characterized the verdict as a “good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up” and accused the royal household of swaying the ruling to diminish his protection. He claimed the judgment affected him “every single day” and had stopped him from bringing Meghan and their children to the UK.

A Home Office source responded, “The demands of certain individuals have no bearing on the full and thorough review taking place. The Duke of Sussex is perfectly capable of making his own security arrangements for his family if he feels there is insufficient provision at this stage.”