Prince Harry Reconsiders UK Trip After Government Denies Police Protection for Meghan Markle and Children

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reconsidering a planned UK trip with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after the government declined his request for police protection outside royal residences.

The BBC said Harry’s team was told on Friday that no taxpayer funded security would be provided, and that the duke was due to make a family visit to the UK for the first time in four years.

BBC

The Guardian reported the visit was “pulled out from under their feet at the 11th hour,” with a source saying Harry feared his children would not meet King Charles if they were “chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane.”

People reported the couple confirmed on Friday, June 26, that they intend to travel to Britain with their children in July for events around the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, while Archie and Lilibet were not expected to attend public engagements.

A source close to Harry told the Guardian that he was “distraught” and exploring other options to make the trip happen, while warning he would not subject Archie and Lilibet to being “chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane.”

The BBC added that police protection would be available while staying on a royal estate, but outside of those times Prince Harry would have to rely on the private security team travelling with him from California.

BBC

Sky News said the duke is “looking at every option to try and get the family here safely” and that he “won’t allow his children to be "chased by paparazzi".”

In a government statement quoted by the BBC, a spokesman said: “It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' security.”

The BBC said a final decision on the trip and the involvement of Prince Harry’s wife and children will be made in the coming days, with the family due to be in the UK for around five days.

People reported that Buckingham Palace revealed on June 19 that King Charles has offered Harry and his family accommodation on a royal estate during their visit, while the location has not been disclosed.

The Guardian said the visit was planned to mark events related to the Invictus Games due to be held in Birmingham in July, and that the duke was said to be excited for Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, to be reunited with King Charles during the visit early next month.

NBC News, via TODAY, said Prince Harry and Markle would celebrate one year until the Invictus Games are held in Birmingham, England from July 7 to July 11, while Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet would not be in attendance at any public events.