Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is fighting to secure automatic armed police protection in the UK — a move that has caused controversy among critics and taxpayers
The Duke of Sussex wants armed police protection in the UK(Image: Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s plea to have police protection in the UK should be granted — on one condition, a royal expert has today claimed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to soon receive a verdict on their plea for automatic armed police protection in this country, after arguing the need it to ensure their safety. Harry himself is thought to be confident on the triumph, which sources say “would change everything” in regards to the royal landscape here.
Despite the criticism, one expert said today she believes a ruling in the couple’s favour would actually benefit their children; six-year-old Archie and Lilibet, four, who haven’t seen their grandfather — King Charles — since June 2022. Sarah Vine, a veteran journalist, wrote: “There is only one instance in which it would be acceptable for the taxpayer to foot the bill for Meghan’s presence on this island, and that is if she accompanies Lilibet and Archie as they visit their British relatives.”
Neither Archie, who is sixth in the line to the throne, or Lilibet have met their cousins, it is understood. Ms Vine has described this as “plain wrong” in her column for the Daily Mail today.
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Harry and Meghan’s request has been praised – and criticised – in equal measure(Image: Humphrey Nemar)
We reported last week concern a ruling in Harry and Meghan’s favour may allow the couple, who moved to the US in 2020, to become “half in, half out” royals. This is echoed by Ms Vine, who wrote in her scathing column: “However toxic her behaviour, however troubling her exploitation of the royal brand — the ‘official’ @SussexRoyal Instagram account remains live and boasts nine million followers, even if they’re not currently posting on it — she is nevertheless the mother of these two young royals.
“They deserve to see their family. Archie, believe it or not, is sixth in the line to the throne. The fact that he and Lilibet have not yet met their cousins is plain wrong.
“Otherwise, she can do what every other celebrity does: pay for her own security. After all, she can well afford it. It transpired recently, according to calculations based on figures from her own website, that she’s sold almost £27million worth of her ‘signature fruit spread’ in America.”
But the Duke of Sussex, 41, has cited his security worries as a major barrier to visiting the UK, and why he is reluctant to bring his children, and an upgrading of his security could make that less of an issue.
Armed police protection would be paid for by British taxpayers, something only “working royals” — such as the King’s siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward — are entitled only when carrying out public engagements. Harry and Meghan, though, carry out no public duties, yet would have round-the-clock protection when in the UK.