‘Distraught’ Prince Harry Is Now Looking Into Other Options After Request for Police Protection During U.K. Trip Denied
After it was reported that Prince Harry would be bringing his wife, Meghan Markle, and two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to England in July for the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, that may not actually happen.
The Guardian reported that’s because the government declined the Duke of Sussex’s request for taxpayer-funded police protection outside royal residences.
A source told the publication that the decision has left Harry “distraught” as “their plans to see family, friends and visit various charitable causes close to the duke’s heart have been pulled out from under their feet at the 11th hour. [Harry’s]looking at every option to try and get the family here safely and keep them safe when they’re on the ground.
“If he can find a way to do that, he will. The hope is they can meet their grandfather, but there is no way that can happen if they are chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane. He won’t put his children through that.”
Harry’s spokesperson reiterated his plan on Monday, saying, “The duke continues to explore every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely and to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the U.K.”
Harry has gone through legal battles against the Home Office concerning automatic police protection while in the U.K., as he claims it was not safe to bring his family without it. In May 2025, a judge dismissed his case to have the security reinstated. Following that ruling, the duke told the BBC: “I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point.”
The family’s return for the first time in four years has been officially linked to events related to the Invictus Games, but some royal commentators believe Meghan and Harry have ulterior motives for making the trip.
During an episode of The Royals Uncensored, Katie Nicholl and Jo Elvin were joined by TalkTV host Mark Dolan, who said that the duke and duchess attending the Invictus one-year-to-go countdown were not important enough to warrant their physical presence in the country. According to Dolan, the reason they wanted to show up is a “desperate” move to reestablish royal ties.
“I think that the fact that it’s happening with all the things Meghan has said about the UK and about the royal family. The fact that it’s happening for this non-event of this one-year countdown, which Harry could have easily done on Zoom from Montecito, smacks of desperation,” Dolan opined. “I think what this move reveals is the total failure of the Sussex brand in the United States …the money is drying up.
“We know that Harry’s speaking engagements have dried up. He used to get $1million per speech and now it’s $50k. The As Ever brand is struggling. Harry and Meghan are really worried,” Mark suggested, “particularly Meghan. My sources tell me, she sees herself as the breadwinner. The received wisdom is they get back to the UK, recalibrate their royal credentials and hopefully it boosts their brand.”
