Prince Harry and Meghan Markle security update given by UK officials after they announce return
It has been revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are to make a shock return to the UK, but one of their biggest reasons given for leaving was the lack of security.
The Sussexes blamed the removal of a security detail as a major influence as to their decision to relocate to the US.
Now, The Telegraph revealed last night Harry and Meghan will be making the move back across the pond, and have reportedly already made plans for Archie and Lilibet to attend British schools in September.
The Home Secretary has now spoken out about whether the British tax payer will be funding security for the couple after they reportedly move to a private, non-royal residence outside of London.
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A Home Office spokesperson for Shabana Mahmood said she will not make a decision about security arrangements for the Duke and Duchess.
The spokesperson insisted "The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate."
"It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' security."
Mahmood will not have any individual role in deciding what security they receive, if any, according to GB News.
Decisions about protective security for high profile figures are made by experts at Ravec, which stands for the Royal and VIP Executive Committee.
There has been a long-running feud over security provisions for the couple.
Earlier this year, a planned visit in July was reconsidered because their request for police protection was rejected.
However, the trip still went ahead.
According to the BBC, King Charles was told of the move at the weekend.
There are reportedly no plans in place for Prince Harry or Meghan to take up roles as working Royals again.
The couple left the UK and officially stepped back from their royal duties in early 2020.
They decided to relocate to California in March that year, and Lilibet was born in the US in March 2021.
Prince Harry had been locked in a lengthy legal battle over the decision to remove their private security after they left the UK.
He lost his fight to have police security reinstated last year, after it was rejected at the Court of Appeal.
He had been arguing that his children could not 'feel at home' in the UK if it is 'not possible to keep them safe' here.
Harry's legal team also claimed that he has been 'singled out' for 'different, unjustified and inferior treatment'.
Senior judges dismissed his appeal, stating that the government's approach was a lawful and understandable response to his change in royal status.
Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, said: "I could not say the duke's sense of grievance translated into a legal argument for a challenge to Ravec's decision."
The decision meant that both Harry and Meghan did not fall under the automatic, high level of protection which is provided for senior royals.
Topics: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Royal Family, UK News
Jen Thomas