Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their son Archie relocated to California in 2020 after stepping down as senior members of the royal family. Along with leaving royal life behind, they also lost access to police security that was paid for with tax payer money.

At their home in Montecito, California, Prince Harry pays for private security for his home. When he last visited the UK, in July 2021, he did not have access to police security and felt that it presented a security risk to himself.

Meghan and Archie have not returned to the UK since leaving royal life. In part, this was due to Meghan’s pregnancy with the couple’s daughter, Lilibet, who was born in 2021. Lilibet has never visited her father’s home country, and unless something changes, she may not get to visit the UK any time soon.

Prince Charles has offered to let Harry and his family stay with him when they are in the UK, but so far, Harry has not taken him up on the offer. Harry feels that until he is allowed to have sufficient security for his family, it is not safe for them to return. He is even willing to pay for the security himself.

A statement from the Sussex’s explained, “Prince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life. He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats. While his role within the Institution has changed, his profile as a member of the Royal Family has not. Nor has the threat to him and his family.”

The statement continued, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed whilst in the UK. In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home.”

The statement expressed that Harry is willing to pay for the security himself. In addition, “The goal for Prince Harry has been simple – to ensure the safety of himself and his family while in the UK so his children can know his home country.”

Unless Harry is able to have police protection, it is likely that the family will not visit the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It is also likely that the Queen will never meet Lilibet.

Do you think Harry will be allowed to pay for police protection in the UK so that he can feel safe visiting his home country with his family? Do you think Harry will take his father up on the offer to stay with him while in the UK? Do you think the Queen will ever meet Lilibet in person?