Harry Drops Bombshell Letter on How Meghan Was Treated After She Joined Royal Family: 'This Secretive...'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch a rehearsal of Spirit 2018 by the Bangarra Dance Theatre.
May 8 2025, Published 1:18 p.m. ET
Prince Harry sat down with BBC broadcaster Nada Tawfik for an interview on May 2 and opened up about his bid for state-funded security. In a follow-up letter on his website, Harry further revealed that his wife, Meghan Markle, was unfairly treated by RAVEC, which includes aides from The Firm. He alleged that RAVEC had initially flatly said no to Markle receiving security even if she were to join the royal family.
As reported by People Magazine, in his letter shared on Sussex.com, which he shares with Markle, he cited the Royal Household as a ‘key decision maker’ in RAVEC, the government’s Royal and VIP Executive Committee, responsible for security arrangements. The Prince penned, “In November 2017, before the Royal Household's role on RAVEC was known, this secretive committee concluded that when my wife would join the royal family, she should not receive protection.” He added, “Only when I asked for the name of the person willing to carry that risk did they reverse the decision.”
Harry’s letter further revealed that RAVEC had refused to carry out the annual risk and threat assessment required by their policies. As a result, his and Markle’s protection rights were stripped, while also sending a signal to other governments to follow suit. He wrote, “This reckless action knowingly put me and my family in harm’s way. Life is precious, and I understand the fragility of it.” He added, “I attempted to resolve this issue privately, even offering to cover the costs…to keep me and my family safe. No one responded directly to me about my offer when I made it, and even though I challenged the refusal to let me pay, my legal claim failed.”
The Duke's letter came on May 2, moments after the court ruled against his appeal for state-funded security. Following the ruling, he told the BBC that he was ‘devastated’ over his loss. As echoed in his letter, Harry spoke of the royal family’s alleged involvement. He said, “I thought…the one thing that I could rely on is my family keeping me safe.” He also alleged that his father, King Charles, was behind the removal of his protection so that he and Markle could be manipulated back into the Firm.
Harry also laid bare his fears and thoughts over his and Markle’s potential return to the UK. He said, “I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point. I miss the UK…And I think that it is really quite sad that I won’t be able to show my children my homeland.”