THE RUNDOWN
- Prince Harry’s rep spoke out about whether Harry still plans to visit the U.K. with Meghan Markle and his children, Archie and Lilibet.
- The Telegraph reported on Saturday that Harry was reconsidering the family’s visit because they were not granted police protection outside of royal residences.
- The spokesperson confirmed Harry’s concerns over not receiving enough security, saying, “Safe accommodation is only one element of an effective protective security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.”
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children Archie and Lilibet are currently in Europe on vacation, People reported yesterday. At that point, the outlet understood that the family still planned to visit the U.K. in early July, but Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson spoke out today about why the family’s plans are not set in stone due to security concerns.
The rep stressed that Harry was still “explor[ing] every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely and to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the U.K.”
The statement came after The Telegraph reported on Saturday that the Duke of Sussex was “reconsidering” taking Meghan, Archie, and Lili to the U.K. after learning they will not receive police protection beyond when they are within royal residences. The family had initially planned a five-day visit with Meghan scheduled to join Harry for two public engagements, the outlet detailed. Harry would be doing events related to the Invictus Games and his charity patronages; the 2027 games will be taking place in Birmingham next July.
His spokesperson confirmed his engagement plans and the security concerns, telling People in a statement, “Prince Harry’s programme in the United Kingdom includes both public and private engagements across the country. Safe accommodation is only one element of an effective protective security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.”
“The issue has never been accommodation,” the rep added. “The issue is whether appropriate and proportionate protective security is being provided throughout the entirety of the visit. The independent Risk Management Board that RAVEC [Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, which decides who can receive police protection and to what extent] itself decided was necessary last November has still not taken place. It is therefore difficult to understand how the proportionality of the current arrangements can credibly be maintained without that independent assessment. The Duke continues to explore every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely and to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the U.K.”
Should the family visit, it will be Lilibet’s first time ever in the country and Archie’s first time back since Meghan and Harry stepped down from their senior working royal family roles in 2020 and relocated to Canada and then ultimately California.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.elle.com ’
