Ex-Royal Butler Reveals Prince Harry’s 'Biggest Concern' About Returning To The UK: "He Will Be..."
Sharing that he does consider the UK home, Harry once admitted that it was 'with great sadness' that he and Meghan Markle had to abscond in 2020.
Prince Harry stepped down as a senior royal and moved to California in 2020. He lives a comparatively low-key life with his wife and two children, away from the scrutiny of the British press. Commenting on the exiled Prince, a royal butler has claimed that his return to the UK is highly unlikely. He revealed that the Duke is hesitant to go back over serious security concerns.
King Charles' former butler, Grant Harrold, told The Mirror, “I think Harry's biggest concern about returning is anyone trying to attack him or his family because there is a love-hate relationship between him and the British public." He added, "He will be worried about that relationship, there is always a risk and that will always be in the back of his mind...I'm sure it's part of the reason he doesn't want to return, and he is worried about any assassination attempts on him or his family.”
In a 2023 statement to the high court, Harry expressed his desire for his children to 'feel at home' in the UK, but they cannot if 'it's not possible to keep them safe.' Sharing that he does consider the UK home, he admitted it was 'with great sadness' that he and his wife, Meghan Markle, had to abscond in 2020. Harry took legal action against the UK Government when his protective security detail was reduced. However, the Prince lost the case, with high court judge, Sir Peter Lane, finding that “there has not been any unlawfulness in reaching the decision” to reduce his security.
In a sit-down for the ITV1 documentary, Tabloids On Trial, Harry opened up about his decision not to return to the UK. He told the outlet, “Whether it's a knife or acid, these are things that are genuine concerns for me. It's one of the reasons why I won't bring my wife back to this country.” He also revealed that his legal battles against the tabloid press have been a key factor in his rift with family members. “I have made it very clear that this is something that needs to be done; it would be nice if we did it as a family,” he explained.
Commenting on the same, former butler Harrold seemed unsure whether Harry should receive security or pay for it himself. He said, “Even former prime ministers still get security, and he is a former working royal, so you would think he is entitled to that. The other argument is that he is able to pay for his security in the United States, could he not pay for his own when they are in the UK." Harry, however, has had a small ray of hope as he won the right to appeal after previously losing his bid for security.
