The Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet will not accompany Prince Harry during his upcoming visit to London next week, as a dispute over his family's police protection continues. However, it remains possible that the Sussex family could join him at engagements elsewhere in the United Kingdom. CNN understands that no decision has been made regarding the family joining the duke during other parts of the visit that take place beyond the British capital.
Security Concerns Prompt Decision
Prince Harry had hoped to bring Meghan and their two young children on the five-day visit but expressed concerns over his family's safety after they were not offered taxpayer-funded protection while in the UK. Harry, who is fifth in line to the British throne, submitted a formal bid for police security during the trip, but his team was reportedly told that protection would not be provided. In recent days, the 41-year-old prince was said to be exploring all avenues to safely bring his family across the Atlantic. His spokesperson told CNN on Friday that the duke's security detail was still looking at options to make the visit work in some form.
Visit Marks Invictus Games Countdown
Next week's visit will see Prince Harry mark the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. The Invictus Games is a sporting competition for military personnel injured in service, which Harry founded over a decade ago. He will also have other engagements in the Midlands relating to other causes he supports. There has been confusion over where the family would stay. CNN had been told the Sussex family would stay in both private accommodation and at a royal residence. However, Buckingham Palace later clarified that the royal household had not heard if the Sussexes had accepted King Charles's invitation. Police protection would automatically be provided while staying on a royal estate.
Ongoing Legal Battle Over Security
Prince Harry has been embroiled in a years-long battle with the UK government after his security was downgraded by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) when he and Meghan stepped down from royal duties in 2020. Last year, he lost a challenge against the Home Office in the UK Court of Appeal regarding the decision. He has since been waiting on a review by RAVEC's Risk Management Board, which has not yet taken place. According to a statement from his spokesperson earlier this week, “Prince Harry’s programme in the United Kingdom includes both public and private engagements across the country. Safe accommodation is only one element of an effective protective security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.”
The spokesperson added, “The issue has never been accommodation. The issue is whether appropriate and proportionate protective security is being provided throughout the entirety of the visit. The independent Risk Management Board that RAVEC itself decided was necessary last November has still not taken place. It is therefore difficult to understand how the proportionality of the current arrangements can credibly be maintained without that independent assessment.” A UK government spokesperson has previously described the protective security system as “rigorous and proportionate.”
