Prince Harry May Get Police Protection During July UK Visit ― But There's a Catch
Prince Harry's impending return to the UK might surprisingly be easier for him, as he might get security, but there is a small caveat to it.
When Prince Harry left the royal family with his wife, Meghan Markle, he altered the very axis his life had always been built upon. The privileges that he once enjoyed as a prince were shifted, and as non-working royals, the couple no longer receives the automatic police protection in the UK reserved for active members of the institution. Now, after years of waging a fierce legal battle to get it back, the Duke may finally secure that security detail for a planned UK visit this July for the Invictus Games ― but it comes with a major catch.
Harry had previously stated that it was “impossible” for him to bring Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK without security. However, as his July visit for the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games fast approaches, things might be looking up. Royal expert Richard Eden recently reported that the Duke of Sussex might be getting protection after all. “‘When Harry came last September, he was granted police protection at certain times, such as when he attended the WellChild Awards,’ a source told me. ‘That will be the same this time for his Invictus events,” he wrote in his article for The Daily Mail.
However, there is a slight catch. The security provided to Harry will be limited to events related to the Invictus Games. “I was told this week is that Harry will be given police protection for next month’s visit, but that may be only for the events connected to Invictus,” Eden mentioned. Despite the specific caveat, the prospect of receiving security might motivate Harry to bring Markle and their children along for the trip.
The prospect of Harry possibly bringing his entire family to his homeland has been further emboldened due to reports suggesting that King Charles is planning a reconciliation with his son and daughter-in-law at Balmoral Castle next month. But more than that, Eden mentioned that the monarch “is keen to show his support for the Invictus Games”. He further added, “‘Like the rest of the Royal Family, His Majesty believes that Invictus is a very worthy cause,’ a friend of the monarch told me. ‘He hopes that the Games will be a big success for Birmingham next year and is aware that a lot of taxpayers’ money has been spent on it’.”
However, when contacted, the spokesperson for the Sussexes told Eden that there was “no change in the security situation as far as we are aware. We wouldn’t comment on meetings with the Duke’s family”. On the other hand, the spokesperson for Buckingham Palace refused to comment on the matter.
The curiosity surrounding Harry’s impending visit to the UK next month has reached a peak with various new reports coming in every week. With a possible reconciliation on the cards and Markle’s likely return to the UK, have certainly invited further speculation. But the fact that the Sussexes might get security after all will possibly open doors for the family as Charles reportedly looks to mend broken ties.
