Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid engaged in a heated exchange with her co-star Kevin Maguire over Prince Harry's security arrangements during a live broadcast on Monday, July 6, 2026. Reid, returning to the programme after several weeks away due to a 'special project', co-hosted alongside Ed Balls as they discussed the Duke of Sussex's upcoming UK trip.
Reid Expresses Outrage Over Security Decision
It is believed Prince Harry will travel to the UK this week without his wife Meghan Markle or their two children, following confirmation that the family would not receive taxpayer-funded police protection. Reid expressed outrage, stating: 'I think it's shocking. I don't understand why he is not given protection in England.'
Kevin Maguire, the Mirror's political editor, strongly disagreed, arguing: 'They make a security assessment and the assessment is clearly that no one is going to try and shoot him or his family.'
Clash Over Risk Assessment
'Do we know that?' Reid challenged. Maguire responded: 'Well, yes because otherwise he'd have protection. He's living in a country where people are killed in their thousands with guns. He's coming to a country where that doesn't happen.'
Reid countered: 'He's in a country where he knows that he has been sent threats and particularly Meghan. Why would we take the risk? He's the son of the King!'
Kwasi Kwarteng Weighs In
Former Conservative MP Kwasi Kwarteng then said: 'He's trying to have his cake and eat it. He left the Royal Family, he decided to walk away from that.' Reid interjected: 'Doesn't mean he's not under threat, Kwasi... We're talking about protecting a life.'
Ed Balls noted that Prince Harry is accustomed to armed protection in the US, but in the UK would only have access via the Metropolitan Police, necessitating the security assessment.
Maguire's Strong Rebuttal
Maguire continued: '40% of the population in the UK doesn't own a gun. In America, I think it's two fifths [that] own guns, including just about every bad person; they own multiple guns.' He argued that Harry faced no greater risk than the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who travels without armed protection.
Reid responded: 'I don't understand why anyone would take the risk. Imagine if the worst happened.' Maguire retorted: 'You can imagine the worst happening to 65, 66 million people in Britain who are more vulnerable and don't have any of his protection. I mean, come on. He's either become incredibly precious or he's horribly paranoid. That is it. I'm sorry he's not bringing his family, but it's up to them. I'm not going to lose any sleep over them not all coming.'
Maguire concluded: 'I don't see why we should have to, just because he feels at risk, [give him] all this protection.' Shortly after, Reid swiftly moved the conversation on.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am.
