British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that measures to protect Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ahead of their return to Britain constitute a “private matter” that the couple should handle themselves.
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Asked what security would be provided for Harry, Meghan and their children, Burnham said: “It is a matter for Harry and Meghan, and we wish them every success in the decision they have made.”
His comments follow reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex intend to live in Britain again with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The family is expected to reside at a private property outside London that does not belong to the royal family.
For years, protection for Harry and his family has been one of the main points of conflict between the prince and the British authorities.
Harry failed to win his legal battle to restore the level of police protection that he and his family members may receive while in Britain.
After losing in court, the prince told the BBC that, because of the reduced protection, he could not imagine returning to Britain permanently.
Despite the family’s decision to return, it is still not known what security arrangements will be implemented or who will pay the associated costs.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, royal family analyst Robert Hardman said that some of the previous difficulties related to security may have been resolved. However, the details of the new arrangements have not been made public.
Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are expected to start school in Britain in September.
King Charles was informed of the family’s decision on Sunday. At present, however, Harry and Meghan are not expected to resume official duties as members of the royal family.
At the beginning of 2020, the couple left Britain after announcing that they were stepping down from their roles as senior members of the royal family. They settled permanently in California in March of that year.
Harry and Meghan last visited Britain in July, when they met with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The meeting was viewed as a significant step in relations between the couple and the royal family. Buckingham Palace described it as a “private family occasion,” while the meeting was held at the king’s private residence in Gloucestershire.
For Charles, it was the first time in more than four years that he had met his grandchildren in person. At the same time, it was Harry and Meghan’s first joint visit to Britain since 2022.
According to reports, the July visit was rescheduled after the authorities rejected Harry’s request for police protection.
With the family’s return to Britain, attention is expected to focus once again on the Sussexes’ security and their relationship with the royal family.
