Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced criticism from a Cotswolds local who branded their speculated move as "pathetic," just weeks after relocating to the English countryside from Montecito, California.
The resident, Rupert, joined presenter Charlie Rowley on TalkTV to discuss the Sussexes' return to the UK. He was asked: "Who do we believe?" as reports suggest that Harry and Meghan are "fed-up" and could move back to the US, while another claimed: "Prince Harry says Archie and Lilibet are happy in school and it's great to be back on British soil."
Local's reaction to the Sussexes' arrival
Rupert stated: "I suppose we have to say, we're going with Harry's version and say the children are happy, and actually just for the children's sake. For goodness sake, they've been in one school for two days, and then they were shoe-horned out of that because of security implications before being put into another school, much nearer to where they live."
The TalkTV guest continued: "I just really do hope that for the sake of their children, they do keep their place in this country. Whether that's a good thing for most people, I'm not sure.
"Around these parts where I live in the Cotswolds, I'm not sure they've been greeted with quite the reception that they wanted, although Meghan was seen going to a pub near Burford. So, maybe they are settling into life in the Cotswolds."
Security row and accusations of blackmail
Rupert remarked: "I have to say I don't suddenly see them moving, but obviously people say it's a bit of blackmail that 'if we don't get our security, we're going to move again.'
"If that is the case, then I think most people would say good riddance. If you can't make up your mind because you can't get what you want, then that looks a bit pathetic."
Harry and Meghan's move to the UK has been branded as "blackmail" as they're accused of trying to control the outcome of their state-funded security review.
Security review and family support
Since the couple moved back, the Home Office has continued to review whether they should receive taxpayer-funded security, which Harry has fought for on multiple occasions since he quit royal duty in 2020 and had his armed police protection withdrawn.
It has been reported that RAVEC will reconsider the Duke and Duchess's level of police protection now that they are once again full-time residents in the UK, along with their two children. The couple have their own self-funded private security team that they use when out and about.
Harry's uncle, Earl Spencer, also chimed in on their security row and told the BBC: "I would say that I personally worry about the fifth-in-line to the throne who's served in the military not having any police protection. As an uncle who's seen his sister die in very, very preventable circumstances, that I would veer towards protection."
