Prince Harry has arrived in the UK to take part in events marking the anniversary of the start of the Invictus Games in Birmingham, but his wife Meghan Markle and children will not join him in London. The reason was the decision not to provide the family with state police protection during the visit. This was reported by the BBC, as conveyed by UNN.
It was initially planned that the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, as well as their children — seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet — would arrive in the UK together with Harry. Last month, the couple even agreed to a proposal to stay at one of the royal residences during the trip.
However, after confirmation that the family would not be provided with security funded by British taxpayers, Meghan decided not to travel to London with the children. At the same time, the BBC notes that they may still join Harry later when his trip continues in the Midlands region.
Previously, Prince Harry has repeatedly stated that he is not ready to bring his family to the UK without proper security measures.
"I don't see a world in which I could bring my wife and children to the UK under the current conditions," Harry said in an interview with the BBC last year.
The dispute concerns decisions by the Royal and Governmental Committee on Protection (RAVEC), which determines the level of security for members of the royal family and other public figures.
The last time Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited the UK together was in 2022 during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, the Duke of Sussex has traveled to the country alone, including last year when he met with his father, King Charles III.