Prince Harry has been branded a 'spoilt celebrity' after changing his UK plans at the final hour, leaving his wife Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, behind in the United States. The Duke of Sussex will travel alone to London next week, marking the first time he has visited the UK without his family in four years.
Last-Minute Decision Sparks Frustration
In the space of 24 hours last weekend, Harry initially announced he was bringing his family to the UK for the first time since 2022. However, he quickly reconsidered, and after a week of intense drama, it was confirmed that he would travel alone due to ongoing security concerns. King Charles had offered a royal residence to the Sussexes to facilitate the visit, but palace sources say the monarch was kept 'in the dark' about Harry's last-minute decision.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told the Mirror: "Harry is lost in his own anxiety about his family and behaving like an entitled prince who either gets his way, or it's no way. He is behaving more like a spoilt celebrity than the second son of the King."
Security Row Continues
The duke's battle over taxpayer-funded security remains a sticking point. Harry had promised to explore 'every available option' to bring his family to London, but sources close to him said he was left 'in an impossible situation' after the Home Office refused his last-ditch appeal to fund a security detail for the trip. The prince has planned a five-day stay with several public engagements, and friends have said he 'is not in a good place,' believing 'dark forces' are blocking him from travelling with his family to meet his father.
Critics have pointed out that Harry and Meghan have made tens of millions of pounds since stepping down as senior royals in March 2020, suggesting they should pay for their own security. The duke was awaiting a review by the Risk Management Board (RMB), part of the Ravec process, but learned last Friday that it had yet to take place.
Palace Insiders Express Frustration
A royal source said: "Buckingham Palace is still waiting for the Duke's decision. It is incredibly frustrating given arrangements need to be made to facilitate any guest of the King's accepting an invitation to visit a royal residence." King Charles is due to participate in a series of public engagements next week, but Buckingham Palace has not commented on private family matters.
It remains unclear whether Meghan and the children might join Harry later in the trip, possibly in Birmingham for key events ahead of next year's Invictus Games. However, plans for the monarch to reunite with his grandchildren now seem in doubt. Harry had previously told the BBC: "I can't see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point."
Government Stance on Security
A government spokesperson said: "It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on protective security arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' security." Discussions about security elements for the latter part of Harry's visit are still ongoing, but no final decision has been made.
