Prime Minister Andy Burnham has described funding security for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as a “private matter” when asked whether the government would cover the costs.
Prime Minister’s Response
Speaking to reporters during a visit to West Yorkshire, Mr Burnham was asked if the government would establish and fund the duke and duchess’s security arrangements. He replied: “Well, this is a private matter. It’s a matter for Harry and for Meghan, and we wish them well in the moves that they’re making.”
Reports of a Move Back to Britain
The comments follow reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to return to Britain. Their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are reportedly enrolled to start at a British school in September. The news emerged on Wednesday night (August 19) and it is understood the King learned of the move just three days before it was made public.
Security Legal Battle
The couple moved to the US more than six years ago but will return to the UK later this month, settling in a non-royal residence outside of London. Harry has been involved in a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK, after his protection level changed when he stepped down as a working royal in 2020. At the end of June, he was still awaiting a review by the Risk Management Board, part of the process by which the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures rules on his security requirements. He and his security detail were working to try to ensure their July visit could take place safely.
