Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that the upcoming security arrangements for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are a private matter. The comments follow reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to relocate from the United States to the United Kingdom later this month alongside their children.
Speaking on the matter, the prime minister noted that the relocation is a personal decision for the couple and offered them well wishes on the transition. The family intends to settle in a private residence outside of London, bringing an end to their primary residency in California, which they established after stepping back from royal duties in early 2020.
Under government protocols, decisions regarding the protective security of members of the royal family and high-profile figures do not rest with the prime minister. Instead, those determinations are handled by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, an independent panel operating under the oversight of the Home Office.
Because the Sussexes previously maintained their primary residence abroad, the committee will now need to review and establish new security parameters for their full-time return. The Home Office maintains a strict policy against discussing specific protective measures publicly, citing the risk of compromising the integrity of the system and endangering individuals.
The couple's security has been a subject of considerable debate since their departure from the UK six years ago. Prince Harry previously pursued a legal challenge attempting to restore the level of taxpayer-funded protection he possessed as a working royal, though an English court rejected the appeal last year.
While the Duke and Duchess are not expected to resume official duties as working members of the royal family, they remain prominent public figures with notable ties, including the prince's military background and his relationship with the monarch. Should government-funded security not be granted in full, the couple would likely need to supplement their protection using personal resources, mirroring the private security teams they utilized while living overseas.
The impending move comes as their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, prepare to begin attending a British school next month. Sources close to the family indicate that the timing of the relocation felt right for their household, marking a significant shift for the internationally based family.
King Charles was reportedly informed of the relocation plans over the weekend and is said to be pleased about the prospect of seeing his family more frequently. The development follows a family gathering in July at Highgrove, which marked the first time the monarch had seen his grandchildren in person in more than four years.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
