Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have returned to the United Kingdom with their children, Archie and Lilibet, six years after stepping back from their roles as senior working royals. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have opted to relocate back to Harry's native country.
Despite the move, King Charles and Prince William are reportedly in "complete agreement" that Harry cannot have a 'half in, half out' role within the monarchy, and the duke will not be resuming any royal duties.
Return to the UK and early activities
When they left in 2020, Harry and Meghan expressed their desire to achieve financial independence as they embarked on a fresh chapter in Montecito, California. Throughout their time stateside, the couple engaged in numerous high-profile interviews discussing their experiences as working royals, while also featuring in their own Netflix series, Finding Freedom. Prince Harry went further still, making a series of allegations about his royal relatives in his memoir, Spare.
Since settling back in Britain, the pair have wasted little time. Harry attended the WellChild Awards, delivering a heartfelt speech from the stage. The charity holds a special place in the duke's heart, having attended the annual event throughout his years in America.
Meanwhile, Meghan has caught up with fellow American expatriate Ellen DeGeneres at a countryside pub, and has treated followers to a glimpse of family life back on British soil through a charming social media post. The footage shows the Sussexes enjoying woodland walks, splashing in puddles, with Harry fishing at a pond alongside his children, while Lilibet cycles as Archie runs behind her.
Security concerns and school enrolment
The two youngsters have now enrolled at their second school following the family's return to the UK in August. Concerns regarding the journey to and from Harry and Meghan's initial choice were flagged by their security personnel.
The family had a further security incident earlier this week when two international paparazzi were spotted surveying the grounds of their children's school. Two young men carrying rucksacks are believed to have been seen by both private security personnel and school staff as they walked around the perimeter. A spokesman for Harry and Meghan, who relocated back to the UK last month, described the actions as "an extraordinary lack of judgment" following the suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford, with several American children whose families are connected to the base reportedly attending the school.
He said: "The decision by photographers to conduct themselves in this way around a school is extraordinarily reckless."
"There is a world of difference between legitimate media activity and photographers walking the perimeter of a school, stopping to look into the grounds and monitoring children as they go about their day. It is concerning enough that certain European paparazzi appear unwilling to respect the privacy of children at school."
"But to behave in this manner in these particular circumstances, and so soon after the incident at RAF Fairford, demonstrates an extraordinary lack of judgment."
"Whatever photographs they may have been seeking, this was not only an unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children; it was an irresponsible and ill-considered way to conduct themselves in the vicinity of a school."
Ongoing security battle
The prince has harboured longstanding concerns regarding his family's safety and has twice challenged the British government through the courts over the withdrawal of publicly-funded protection following his departure from working royal duties.
Fresh hope emerged for the prince in securing government funding for his estimated £5million annual security costs when the Home Office announced a fresh assessment of the threats facing him and his wife Meghan, subsequent to the family's UK return. Home Office insiders characterise Harry's ongoing engagement with the department as "incessant", noting his persistent communication throughout recent months. The duke has repeatedly petitioned the British government to reconsider its stance, maintaining he remains vulnerable to terrorist threats while on British soil.
The Duke of Sussex's security anxieties predate his 2018 marriage to Meghan. Mirror royal editor Russell Myers disclosed in his book, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, how the duke had campaigned for enhanced protection for his then-fiancee. Myers discloses the Duke of Sussex was "incredulous" when his appeal for royal protection for Meghan prior to their 2018 wedding was turned down.
He is said to have felt it was "one rule for him and another for me" upon discovering that Catherine had received unofficial palace guidance when she embarked on her relationship with William, and was granted round-the-clock security as soon as the pair became engaged. Harry had been desperately seeking measures to protect his then future wife after she became a target on social media, and was left incensed when told that no security arrangements would be put in place until after the couple had tied the knot. His father, Charles, maintained that he was powerless to intervene as it was a government decision, despite the assistance that had previously been extended to Kate.
