Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been criticised by a TV star over their "blackmail attitude" following their return to the UK. The couple are awaiting a verdict from the Royalty and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) on whether they will be granted top security funded by taxpayers.
Security battle since stepping down
Harry has been fighting for more security since stepping down from royal duties in 2020 and losing his armed police protection. The couple took their two children, Archie and Lilibet, out of their new school in the Cotswolds over security concerns after their convoy got separated due to school traffic.
Associates of the duo have allegedly hinted that should Harry and Meghan be denied taxpayer-funded police protection, they will relocate back to America.
TV star's criticism
Angela Levin said to Charlie Rowley on TalkTV: "And Harry has become so determined now. He's become more like Meghan all the time in terms of 'I am going to get this'. He's doing it for himself, like a plaything, and Meghan wants it to help her with her jam. I don't think there's anything else going on there, and I do hope they do go away as soon as possible."
"Why should he and Meghan take the money? Then Megan will go off, and she'll do some more jam and make money out of that? How dare she? I feel very strongly about it. I think it's a real blackmail attitude. Well, it wasn't so long ago, either. There was the picture of Harry wandering around the street, I think, looking for his friend back when he was back in London, you know, with no security."
Royal expert's response
Royal expert and Diary Editor Richard Eden declared that such action would be "akin to blackmail". He said: "My goodness, that makes the whole thing seem like... some sort of blackmail. The implications of this are massive because if they get it, what that then means is Harry and Meghan can come and go, and they'll still be getting police protection, and also they can say that they want it in America."
King Charles issued a statement confirming that Harry and Meghan were private citizens, adding that their HRH styles remain in abeyance and that their office operates entirely separately from the working Royal Household.
