The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are back living in Britain with their children, and their protection arrangements are under fresh review after security concerns disrupted the school commute. Public anger over Prince Harry's past actions must not become security policy, writes Alicia Liberty.
Why the public is angry
Prince Harry stepped away as a working royal in 2020. His automatic level of publicly funded police protection subsequently changed, and his legal challenge against that decision ultimately failed in 2025. He also spent years attacking the institution from afar, and many in Britain feel he turned his back on them too.
But feeling betrayed by Harry does not make the threat around him disappear. The Duke has previously offered to pay personally for UK police protection. Court documents confirm that Harry said he was willing to cover the cost of police protection, although the legal framework does not simply allow somebody to buy specialist royal protection as though it were an ordinary commercial service.
An exceptional case
Prince Harry is not an ordinary private citizen. He is the King's son, a former working royal, a veteran with an enormous international profile and a man whose mother died after years of intense media scrutiny. Even Earl Spencer, who has been critical of the Royal Family, has argued this week that Harry and Meghan need proper protection and invoked what happened to Diana when making his case.
RAVEC is now reassessing the Sussexes' security arrangements because they are once again living in Britain. That decision belongs to the relevant authorities, not King Charles, and the Palace should not be dictating operational policing decisions. But the King can acknowledge that this is not simply another grievance to be dismissed.
Consequences for the children
Archie and Lilibet reportedly changed schools just days into term after security concerns were raised about the journey. That shows how quickly this issue reaches beyond Harry and Meghan and into the lives of two young children.
Prince Harry has returned to Britain with Meghan and their two children, who are grandchildren of the King. Reuters reported this month that Harry has spoken warmly about being back on British soil, while his public schedule has again included Invictus and other longstanding causes. If this return is going to work, Britain has to find a way of separating resentment from reality. If a sensible security arrangement cannot be found, there is a clear risk that the family will eventually turn their backs on Britain for good.
