The Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be planning a return to the United States if they are denied publicly funded police protection, according to several royal experts.
Royal commentator Richard Eden is among those who discussed reports that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might consider moving back to California. Speaking on the Palace Confidential podcast, Eden described the couple's reported ultimatum as "akin to blackmail".
Experts weigh in on reported ultimatum
Eden said: "The implications of this are massive because if they get it, what that then means is Harry and Meghan can come and go, and they'll still be getting police protection, and also they can say that they want it in America."
He added: "So those hard-pressed taxpayers in the US might find that they're having to pay for security too. So it could ease any money worries that they have. Harry and Meghan would be absolutely thrilled. They'd have these huge costs paid for by someone else."
Last week, the Mail reported that "friends say the Sussexes could leave the UK if a Home Office review refuses them automatic police protection".
Blackmail claim and recent relocation
Another royal commentator, Angela Levin, told TalkTV: "It's blackmail, isn't it? That's what I think. If the two of them now, if you don't give them exactly what they want, when they want, I think it's a blackmail thing. If they do go back, I'd be delighted; they are real nuances and extremely unpleasant here (in the UK). Why should we pay them money for everything they're doing? They're not doing anything (for us)."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated back to the UK last month along with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
Security review ongoing
The Home Office is still conducting a review into whether the couple should receive taxpayer-funded security. This is understood to be something Harry has fought to have multiple times since he quit royal duty in 2020 and had his armed police protection withdrawn.
After they quit royal life and moved to the US, the couple have their own self-funded private security team that they use when out and about. Harry and Meghan have refrained from revealing where they are living as a result of security concerns, and even withdrew Archie and Lilibet from their first British school after believing the school run route posed a safety threat.
