With the Duke of Sussex’s UK security entitlements under review, a royal expert believes it could put a target on Meghan Markle’s back if she were to return to her husband’s home country
After years of battling for his UK security entitlements to be reviewed, Prince Harry has finally got his wish, with the Home Office vowing to take a fresh look at his case. However, one royal expert has claimed that if the Duke of Sussex were to have his taxpayer-funded security reinstated in the UK, it may make Meghan Markle a “target”.
Harry lost his automatic right to publicly-funded police security in the UK in February 2020 after a decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC), following Harry and Meghan’s decision to quit their royal duties and relocate to America.
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For the last five years, the level of Harry’s security in the UK has been decided on a “case-by-case” basis, meaning he must give advance notice of his visits so a threat assessment can be made.
The Duke of Sussex has long fought against the arrangement and has been involved in a lengthy legal battle against the UK government, arguing that he and his family face significant security threats and that the new arrangements are “unjustified and inferior”.
But, according to new reports, his security arrangements for his visits to the UK are undergoing a fresh review, with the Home Office initiating a new threat assessment. According to a source close to the Sussexes, Harry is confident that his armed police protection when in the UK will be reinstated.
While the Duke of Sussex is optimistic that security while in his home country will be restored, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that if he were to be granted such security, it seems unlikely that Meghan would join him on a trip to the UK.
Harry has long claimed that the issue of security in his home country has been the main obstacle in the way of a reconciliation between the Duke and the wider Royal Family, with the reinstatement of the security measures meaning the door would be open for Harry to spend as much time as he likes with his estranged father and brother.
Writing for the i Paper, Bond said that many in the UK would be happy to see a reconciliation between Harry and his family, but claimed she is “less convinced” that the British public would give Meghan a positive reception.
Jennie said: “Any visit by Meghan would need to be carefully curated and monitored. She may not be in the same physical danger, but she’s more likely to be the target of a verbal backlash than Harry, who still has a way of endearing himself to the crowds.
“If I were her, I’d give the UK a miss. She’s clearly happy at home in California. Why wouldn’t she be? She’s free, she’s wealthy, she has a husband who adores her and children she loves. Why court hostility over here?”
Jennie added: “Harry and the kids can pop over and see Grandpa. Archie and Lilibet can take a peek inside the Palace walls their ancestors have inhabited. And then they can all head back to the sunshine.”
The royal expert previously said that Harry “deserves” the tax-payer funded protection when in his home country, given that the same security measures are given to former politicians.
She told the i Paper : “Security is offered to a former prime minister who served barely any longer than a lettuce takes to wilt, then surely the son of the King deserves the same? Prince Harry is asking for the Metropolitan Police to protect him and (if he were to bring them) his family on occasional visits to the UK. It does not seem an unreasonable request. He cannot change the fact that he is the King’s son.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.mirror.co.uk ’
