Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the UK has put King Charles in an increasingly difficult position as the row over security continues to escalate. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have brought their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, back to Britain, with the youngsters expected to begin at a prep school next month.
Behind the scenes, the family's arrival has raised fresh questions about the level of protection they will receive – and whether the King can do anything to help his son.
Short Notice Given to Security Committee
According to The Telegraph, Harry's team gave the Home Office security committee less than two weeks' notice of the family's plans to relocate, rather than the usual 28 days required by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec).
The shorter notice was reportedly linked to concerns about the plans leaking, alongside the late confirmation of the children's school places and Harry's wish to tell his father about the move before it became public.
The King was officially informed on Sunday, August 16, with the news subsequently reported on August 19. Harry, Meghan and their children arrived in the UK last week.
Ongoing Fight for Taxpayer-Funded Protection
The family is understood to be staying at an undisclosed location, while Harry continues to seek taxpayer-funded police protection. He lost his automatic entitlement to publicly funded security after stepping down as a working royal in 2020 and moving to the US.
Harry's supporters have argued that the circumstances have now changed because the Sussexes are once again living in Britain. A source close to the couple said Ravec had been "kicking the can down the road for the last seven years".
They added: "We have always adhered to the rules they set, even as the goalposts have moved along the way."
The source argued that geography had previously been central to the decision to reduce Harry's protection, saying: "That barrier has now been removed, and an obvious off-ramp exists for the committee to do the sensible thing: protect the King's son and grandchildren."
Former Protection Officer Weighs In
The issue has also been highlighted by former royal protection officer Neil Basu, who previously oversaw protection arrangements for Harry and Meghan. Speaking on The Crime Agents podcast, he said he was surprised Harry had not been offered "the full package", pointing to threats from Islamist extremists and the extreme right wing.
He said: "In 2019 he was one of the people we thought needed the full package. In 2026 he doesn't? I have never been able to see why his threat risk has reduced, whether you like him, or you don't."
Mr Basu added: "Having protection is one of the most intrusive things. He only wants it because he's genuinely in fear of his life, and more importantly, his wife and children."
King Unable to Intervene
But the King himself is unable to simply order a change to his son's security arrangements. One source familiar with the situation said: "Obviously, the King is in an impossible position. He cannot intervene, or be seen to apply pressure, in a way that could be construed as constitutionally overstepping."
They added: "But one would imagine he is as concerned as anyone that his son - and, in particular, his grandchildren - are not receiving any form of police protection despite being fifth, sixth and seventh in line to the throne. The situation is untenable."
The Home Office and Cabinet Office declined to comment, while Buckingham Palace does not comment on security matters.
