Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in the UK just a week after announcing their shock decision to return to Britain. The couple landed at Birmingham Airport on Wednesday (August 26), ready for their kids Lilibet and Archie to start the new school year.
Harry and his family were whisked away in an exclusive private security convoy as they prepared to start this new chapter of their life. The issue surrounding Harry's security has been a big flashpoint around his relationship with the Royal Family.
Former protection officer speaks out
After quitting as working royals in 2020, Harry and Meghan lost state-funded security and they have still not been offered it despite their return. Harry insists the reason his wife and kids had stayed away from the UK was due to the apparent threats posed by this lack of security.
Now a former royal protection officer has lifted the lid on the truth about those threats. Neil Basu reached the rank of Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police. He also ran royal protection for a number of years, which meant he was responsible for keeping Harry and Meghan safe before they left the UK for California.
Real threats and prosecutions
Speaking on The Crime Agents podcast, Neil said he was surprised the Sussexes have not been offered "the full package" as he admitted they faced very real threats.
He said: "Given that he served his country, and he's been one of the most vilified members of the public, and he's one of the most famous people in the world, and effectively has had Islamist/extremist threats, and extreme right-wing threats."
"In 2019 he was one of the people we thought needed the full package. In 2026 he doesn't? I have never been able to see why his threat risk has reduced, whether you like him, or you don't."
"Having protection is one of the most intrusive things. He only wants it because he's genuinely in fear of his life, and more importantly, his wife and children."
Neil and his unit investigated allegations of threats to kill against Harry and Meghan, resulting in two prosecutions. The officer retired from the Metropolitan Police in 2022.
Private security versus police protection
On his final day in the job, he was asked by Cathy Newman - then working for Channel 4 - whether the threats were real or not. Neil pointed to the successful prosecutions. He also said there is one important difference between having state-funding police security and your own private protection team.
He added: "They wouldn't be as safe as if they were given police protection, because I know the standard and calibre of close protection would be at a high level."
"The difference between the kind of security he can have as a private citizen, and the kind of security he can have as a police officer. Our security are armed, and he isn't going to have an armed response."
Fresh review ordered
It comes as the Daily Mirror reports that Harry still hopes to be granted taxpayer-funded security. The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has ordered a fresh review of the terror threat against his family.
The Home Office is "actively assessing" Harry's case again after he wrote personally to Ms Mahmood asking for a new assessment on the Sussexes security situation.
The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) will now have to make a new decision, as previous arrangements were based on Harry and his family not living permanently in the UK.
One government insider said: "Officials have been asked to make a new assessment now that the family in question have chosen to reside in the UK. Any recommendations will be made in due course."
Harry informed the Home Office he was arriving in the UK 28 days beforehand - in line with previous requests to give appropriate notice when coming to the country.
A source close to the Duke of Sussex said he is "confident of a change in proceedings". He is understood to have been given an indication that the Home Office's stance had "softened" with more potential for him to be afforded police protection at certain events. A spokesman for Harry did not comment.
