Former head of Royal Protection Dai Davies has warned that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will face a major problem when they return to the UK, six years after leaving for a new life in America.
Speaking on TalkTV with presenter Julia Hartley Brewer on Thursday (August 20), Davies predicted a media frenzy when the Duke and Duchess arrive, with huge pressure to see their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
Davies Questions Security and Privacy
Davies said: "It's clear something has changed. How on earth can you go from saying, 'This country is so dangerous, I can't breathe.'" He pointed out that Harry's previous quiet visits, such as to see his father and to Highgrove to visit his late mother's grave, showed how privacy could be maintained if he kept his movements quiet.
"What it did show, though, is when he went to see his father, how if he keeps quiet, if he doesn't tell anyone where he's going, how it can be done quite successfully," Davies added.
Children's Faces Will Be Worldwide
Addressing the upcoming move, Davies said: "It must have been thought out," before questioning where they will live. He noted that the children are too young to board at school, so a house is needed, but securing it would take months due to the couple's security concerns.
"If the kids are going to go to school, that's going to come out whether they like it or not. The children's faces are now going to be all over the world press," Davies warned.
Frenzy Expected Despite Security Concerns
Julia Hartley Brewer suggested Buckingham Palace might do a deal to protect the children from foreign paparazzi, but noted: "The British press go with what you just said, but here we are, I don't think some of the foreign press will."
Davies concluded: "It's such a worldwide frenzy now, and this will be a frenzy; it is a frenzy. Royalty protection and protection of the Royals are yet again front-line headlines because of this. And again, for a couple who are paranoid about their safety, apparently, for them to come to this conclusion ... to come back and expect a welcome and open arms is beggars belief really."
