Prince Harry is making arrangements to possibly bring his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK next month. The Duke of Sussex intends to visit his home country along with his wife Meghan for a series of engagements related to the upcoming Invictus Games set to be held in Birmingham.
Reports suggest that the trip may include a visit to Athorp Estate, where Princess Diana, Harry’s late mother, is buried, as well as a potential meeting with King Charles. However, there are concerns that the Home Office’s Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) might not provide taxpayer-funded security for the visit, leading to speculation that Harry may reconsider bringing his family along.
In a statement released recently, Harry’s spokesperson emphasized that the main concern is ensuring appropriate and proportionate protective security throughout the visit, rather than just accommodation. Despite facing challenges regarding security arrangements in the past, Harry is committed to exploring all possible options to ensure a safe visit for his children.
In previous years, Prince Harry has been involved in legal battles with the British government over the withdrawal of taxpayer-funded security when he and Meghan decided to step back from their royal duties and relocate to the United States. Even though he was informed of a bespoke security arrangement requiring advance notice of his UK visits, Harry has continued to seek clarity and reassurance on security matters.
Efforts to address security concerns have been ongoing, with Harry seeking a review from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and undergoing a new risk assessment. Despite these efforts, the final outcome of the security arrangements for his upcoming visit remains undisclosed.