Prince Harry’s UK Visit Faces Fresh Uncertainty As Security Row Leaves Family Plans In Doubt
Prince Harry’s planned return to the UK is once again being overshadowed by the long-running argument over his security arrangements, with questions still hanging over whether Meghan Markle and their two children will join him.
The Duke of Sussex is expected to travel to Britain for events linked to the official countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. The visit had been billed as a significant moment for Harry, who was understood to be hoping to bring the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet back to his home country.
Harry is just days away from heading to the UK for a major Invictus event (Image: AP)
However, those family plans are now said to be uncertain after reports that Harry’s request for police protection during the trip has not delivered the outcome he had hoped for. The issue has left the Sussex camp exploring how the visit could proceed safely, particularly if Meghan and the children are involved.
According to Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, Harry may have moved too quickly in planning the trip before receiving a firm decision on the level of protection he would be given while in the UK.
Speaking on Loose Women, Myers suggested the Duke appeared to have “jumped the gun”, saying Harry had seemingly expected a certain level of protection and then had to step back from earlier expectations once the situation became less clear.
Prince Harry and Meghan with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet (Image: @meghan/Instagram)
Harry’s security has been one of the most sensitive issues surrounding his visits to Britain since he and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 and moved to North America. After their departure, the Duke no longer received the same automatic level of taxpayer-funded police protection that had previously applied to him as a working royal.
Since then, Harry has repeatedly argued that he does not feel it is safe to bring his wife and children to the UK without adequate protection. The Duke has also pursued legal challenges over the matter, insisting that the risks facing him and his family require careful and independent assessment.
For this upcoming trip, Harry has reportedly been waiting for a review connected to the process used by Ravec, the body involved in decisions around security for members of the Royal Family and other public figures. But reports claim the relevant review had not yet taken place, leaving the final arrangements unresolved.
Meghan may not join Harry for his upcoming UK trip(Image: AP)
A spokesperson for Harry said the Duke’s team was exploring every available option to allow the visit to proceed safely. The statement also questioned how the current approach could be considered proportionate without a fresh independent assessment.
Supporters of Harry’s position point to the fact that he is the son of the King, a former British soldier and a high-profile figure who has previously spoken about threats against himself and his family. Myers also acknowledged that an argument could be made for the Duke receiving police protection during UK visits.
But the uncertainty has created another difficult chapter in the Sussexes’ relationship with Britain. Harry had reportedly hoped the visit could give Archie and Lilibet a rare opportunity to spend time in the UK, and potentially reconnect with family members they have seen very little in recent years.
Russell Myers said Harry “jumped the gun” in planning his UK trip(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
A source close to the Sussexes claimed the Duke has been left deeply frustrated by the delay and is finding the planning process emotionally difficult. The same source said Harry wants his children to know his home country, but remains concerned about whether the security arrangements are strong enough.
The situation is likely to intensify scrutiny around the trip as the date approaches. If Meghan, Archie and Lilibet do not travel, the focus may fall heavily on whether Harry’s visit becomes another solo return to the UK rather than the wider family moment that had been anticipated.
For now, the Duke’s itinerary appears to remain linked to Invictus commitments, while the bigger question is whether his family will feel able to join him. Until the security issue is resolved, the Sussexes’ UK plans remain very much up in the air.
