A royal expert believes that Meghan Markle’s safety could be threatened if she were to return to her husband’s native country in light of the Duke of Sussex’s recent review of her UK security entitlements.
After years of battling for his UK security entitlements to be reviewed, Prince Harry has finally got his wish, with the Home Office vowing to take a fresh look at his case. However, one royal expert has claimed that if the Duke of Sussex were to have his taxpayer-funded security reinstated in the UK, it may make Meghan Markle a “target”.
Harry lost his automatic right to publicly-funded police security in the UK in February 2020 after a decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC), following Harry and Meghan’s decision to quit their royal duties and relocate to America.
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Harry’s security has been chosen in the UK for the past five years on a “case-by-case” basis, meaning he must give notice of his visits to be evaluated for threat.
The Duke of Sussex has battled the government’s proposed arrangement for a long time, claiming that he and his family are threatened by significant security risks and that the new arrangements are “unjustified and inferior.”
But, according to new reports, his security arrangements for his visits to the UK are undergoing a fresh review, with the Home Office initiating a new threat assessment. According to a source close to the Sussexes, Harry is confident that his armed police protection when in the UK will be reinstated.
While the Duke of Sussex is optimistic that security while in his home country will be restored, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that if he were to be granted such security, it seems unlikely that Meghan would join him on a trip to the UK.
Harry has long claimed that the issue of security in his home country has been the main obstacle in the way of a reconciliation between the Duke and the wider Royal Family, with the reinstatement of the security measures meaning the door would be open for Harry to spend as much time as he likes with his estranged father and brother.
Writing for the i Paper, Bond said that many in the UK would be happy to see a reconciliation between Harry and his family, but claimed she is “less convinced” that the British public would give Meghan a positive reception.
According to Jennie, “Any visit by Meghan would need to be carefully planned and monitored. Although she may not be in the same physical condition, Harry still has a way of making himself known to the crowds.
“If I were her, I would miss the UK,” she said. She is obviously content in her Californian home. Why wouldn’t she be? She has children she loves, a husband who adores her, and she is free and wealthy. Why is there court hostility here?
Harry and the kids can visit Grandpa, Jennie continued. The palace’s walls are where their ancestors once sat, according to Archie and Lilibet. Then they can all return to the sun.
Given that former politicians also receive the same security measures, the royal expert has previously stated that Harry “deserves” the tax-payer-funded protection when he is residing in his home country.
She told the i Paper : “Security is offered to a former prime minister who served barely any longer than a lettuce takes to wilt, then surely the son of the King deserves the same? Prince Harry is asking for the Metropolitan Police to protect him and (if he were to bring them) his family on occasional visits to the UK. It does not seem an unreasonable request. He cannot change the fact that he is the King’s son.”
