The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will reportedly stay at a royal residence when they bring their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the UK next month. The family is expected to appear in Birmingham on Friday, July 10, for the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games.
Meghan's interest in Invictus Games
Sources close to the Sussexes said Meghan has taken a 'considerable interest' in the Invictus Games and is 'determined' to make the visit to Birmingham. The Olympics-type sporting event involves injured service personnel from across the world and has been a global success. The Birmingham event marks a return to Harry's home country for the first time since the Games' inception in 2014.
First family trip to UK in four years
The visit will be part of a week-long trip to the UK during July and marks the first time the family have been in Britain together for four years—since Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. It will also be the first time Meghan, 44, has travelled to the UK, other than passing through Heathrow, since the late Queen's funeral in September 2022.
Security concerns resolved
Prince Harry, 41, is said to have grown 'increasingly frustrated' that a review into his claim for taxpayer-funded security has taken six months. It is understood that this has forced him to reverse his decision and accept King Charles' offer of staying at a royal residence so he can bring his family to the UK. Harry previously said it was 'not safe' for him to bring Meghan, Archie and Lilibet to the UK because he could not guarantee their safety. But it seems that he has now accepted an offer to stay at a royal residence, understood to be Buckingham Palace, in order to make the family trip.
Legal battle over security
In recent years, Harry has been engaged in a protracted legal battle with the British Government over the decision to strip him of taxpayer-funded security when in the UK. His access to police protection was removed following his and Meghan's decision in 2020 to quit royal life and settle in the United States. He first launched a case at the High Court, which he lost last year, then raised the issue at the Court of Appeal which refused to reverse the decision.
Rather than being flatly denied police protection, Harry was told he would be subject to a bespoke arrangement which requires him to give the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) 30 days' notice of any planned visit to the UK, alongside his schedule. Harry then wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to request a review. He is understood to have claimed that threats against his safety remain.
Review delay
In December, he was granted a new risk assessment, which he was told would take 'a matter of weeks'. It is understood that this has now been completed but Harry has not been informed of the outcome. Home Office sources have said 'no announcement is imminent'.
A source close to Harry said: "He has grown increasingly frustrated with the whole process and has had to alter his standpoint. From initially being told a decision would be made within a matter of weeks, it is now more than six months on. He was determined to travel back to the UK with his family around the Invictus event, so he has finally made the decision to accept the offer of staying at a royal residence which he believes will be sufficient for this trip."
Royal residence stay
Harry has refused offers to stay at a royal residence during previous solo trips back to the UK. Royal sources claimed Harry is expected to meet the King with Meghan and their children during their stay.
A Home Office source said: "The demands of certain individuals have no bearing on the full and thorough review taking place. The Duke of Sussex is perfectly capable of making his own security arrangements for his family if he feels there is insufficient provision at this stage."
The Duke's spokesperson did not comment.
