The Duke of Sussex's pitch perfect plan to bring back family to the UK has been disrupted after government's last minute blow.
Prince Harry - who has been all set for his highly anticipated UK return with wife Meghan Markle, and kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in July, has been denied tax-payers security by the state.
As reported by The Guardian on Sunday, June 28, a source close to the couple - who left the UK in 2020 and making their first joint trip since 2022, has claimed that, "Their plans to see family, friends and visit various charitable causes close to the duke’s heart have been pulled out from under their feet at the 11th hour."
Sharing Harry's reaction to the update, the insider revealed that Harry was "distraught" at the development and that he would not subject his children to being "chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane".
The sources further claimed that the duke is trying to make arrangements to make his trip with the family possible, however, he fears this would not be possible without proper security from the government of the UK.
"He’s looking at every option to try and get the family here safely and keep them safe when they’re on the ground. If he can find a way to do that he will," noted the insider.
"The hope is they can meet their grandfather, but there is no way that can happen if they are chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane. He won’t put his children through that," added the source.
What we know about Prince Harry’s UK security battle with Home Office
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s tax-payers funded security was revoked after the duke and his wife stepped down from their duties as senior Royal and left the firm to start and live a new life in the US away from the spotlight.
However, in a bid to ensure his family’s smooth and secure visits to the UK Harry filed an official review claim in September 2021, to challenge Home Office’s decision after hitting with a security scare in 2022.
However, in February 2024, his appeal was dismissed by the High Court dismissed his case, ruling that the "bespoke" case-by-case security arrangement decided by Ravec was legally sound.
Then in May last year, despite his long battle and appeal attempts, three senior High Court judges formally dismissed his challenge, keeping his security on the visit-by-visit basis.
Since then, the Duke had been awaiting a final decision from the royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec), to authorize his police protection in the UK.
Why Meghan Markle and kids, Prince Archie and Lilibet are coming to the UK
The Duchess of Sussex - who last visited the UK in 2022 to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, is all set to join the duke for the countdown event of The Invictus Games 2027, sechedule to be held on July 10, 2027.
About The Invictus Games
The multisporting event - founded by King Charles younger son in 2014 is an international platform established for the for mental and physical recovery of the wounded, injured, and sick (WIS) military personnel and veterans.
The next stop of The Invictus Games is Birmingham, UK.
