Prince Harry is reportedly close to having his police security reinstated, potentially paving the way for his wife Meghan Markle and their children to visit the UK for the first time since 2022. The Duke of Sussex has long insisted that without publicly funded protection, he will not bring his family to Britain, citing concerns over intelligence access and jurisdictional limits of his private security team.
After years of legal battles, Harry's security needs are undergoing an official risk assessment, with reports suggesting he may regain automatic police protection. While Harry has made several trips to the UK, Meghan has not returned since attending the late Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022. A security reinstatement could prompt her comeback, though experts warn it is a high-risk move.
Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine argued that a UK return could boost Meghan's commercial appeal, particularly for her jam brand As Ever, by reasserting her royal connection. She claimed that 'the royal fairy dust is finally wearing off' in America, and Meghan needs to 're-up on that magic' to stay relevant. However, PR expert Mayah Riaz told the Mirror that a visit would be 'high risk, high noise', reigniting old narratives rather than creating new ones.
Riaz noted that Meghan's commercial power is strongest in the US, where her royal association already serves as global shorthand. She warned that the UK media landscape is far less forgiving, and any return would be 'dissected frame by frame'. Under specific conditions—such as a low-key, purpose-driven trip—a visit could improve Meghan's 22% approval rating in YouGov polls, but anything perceived as performative would harden opinions.
Harry's security is currently reviewed on a case-by-case basis for each UK visit. The couple quit royal life in 2020 and now reside in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
