King Charles Quietly Settles Who Pays for Harry’s Security — and It Says a Lot About Where Things Stand
King Charles' stance on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's security might stand opposite the couple's years-long battle.
On Monday, King Charles released a guidance letter to the government, the military, and the Lord Lieutenancies, clarifying Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s status at the Firm after their return to the UK. The monarch stated in no subtle terms that the Sussexes were not working royals and would be living in the country in a private capacity. However, one small detail that most initially missed was a note about Harry and Markle’s security, and the couple won’t be too happy about Charles’ stance on the matter.
The guidance letter read (via the Daily Mail), “Any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities.” The simple statement might overshadow Harry’s years-long battle for automatic police protection in the UK, as it means that the decision about the Sussexes’ security lies with RAVEC. Buckingham Palace may not interfere in that matter.
When Harry and Markle’s return to the UK was announced last month, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that their security issue is a “private matter”. He had further added via the BBC, “It's a matter for Harry and for Meghan, and we wish them well in the move that they are making.” The Sussexes had lost their right to state-funded protection after they stepped away from their roles as senior working royals in 2020.
After losing his legal challenge for security last year, Harry mentioned that he won’t be able to bring his wife and children to his home country without protection. Recently, after their move to the UK, a friend of the couple claimed that school runs for their children, which the couple reportedly did themselves in the US, are their “biggest area of concern” as it “creates the most dangers”. Markle had said during her 2022 The Cut interview that picking up Prince Archie from school in the UK would have been impossible without being swarmed by paparazzi. “Sorry, I have a problem with that. That doesn’t make me obsessed with privacy. That makes me a strong and good parent protecting my child,” she stated.
Despite fears about security, the family of four visited the UK in July and has now relocated across the pond for an extended stay on an expensive private jet. Royal expert Jennie Bond believes the Sussexes’ actions won’t help their request for state-funded protection. “I’m not sure that Harry does understand the public antipathy to funding his security. Arriving in the UK in a plush private jet did not do his image any good,” she said via The Mirror. “But if he can afford a jet - or friends who will lend him one - then I understand that many people will feel he can afford to pay for a pretty substantial level of private security, even if without guns. So he doesn’t do himself any favors.”
Along with clarifying Harry and Meghan’s royal roles and security matters, Charles also wrote, “Any specific questions from official and State organizations about the courtesies which should be extended to the Duke and Duchess, and particularly where recourse to public funds may be required, should be directed to Buckingham Palace.”
