The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are facing significant costs following their return to the UK, with the private jet used for their transatlantic flight alone costing close to £100,000.
Costly Flight and Security Concerns
GB News royal correspondent Cameron Walker revealed the financial burden of the couple's move during an appearance on GB News Breakfast. Referring to the private plane they used to fly into the country, he said: "We think it's about £9,000 an hour of flight time, and it's around 9/10 hours to fly from LA to London, so we're talking close to £100,000."
Host Stephen Dixon pointed out the couple "appear to have a lot of money" as they flew their family of four and "probably two security guards and the two dogs as well on that aeroplane". Walker responded: "I think it's the security question, to be honest. I think it's security, the private security they obviously pay for, costs a lot of money...it does cost a lot of money if it is sustained, long term, 24/7 security that they are wanting to pay for."
Funding Questions
Walker speculated on how the couple could be funding their current security arrangements, noting: "There were question marks about how much money Diana's fund gave him, and indeed Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother's fund, and if that was potentially running out." He added: "But it appears not... so they clearly do have a bit of money and can afford to send two kids to private school."
Prince Harry's long-running security concerns remain unresolved and could ultimately influence how long the family stays in the country. After stepping down from royal duties in 2020, he lost his automatic taxpayer-funded police protection. While the Sussexes have armed private security in the US, private security guards in the UK are not legally permitted to carry firearms.
Legal Battle and Future Plans
A source told People that Prince Harry intends to "continue fighting for that", referring to the security arrangements he wants for himself and his family. Insiders have warned that the unresolved issue could eventually affect how long the family remains in Britain.
Prince Harry had previously said that he does not feel able to bring Meghan and their children to the UK without adequate security arrangements. The family's return marks a significant change from Harry's position last year. In May 2025, he told the BBC: "I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point."
The decision to spend more time in Britain is understood to have been developing for around a year, with the children's school-age years and Harry's links to the country among the factors behind the move. The duke is also expected to spend significant time in the UK because of his remaining patronages and preparations for the Invictus Games in Birmingham in July 2027.
