Why Prince Harry and Meghan’s UK Exit Plan Will Be Devastating for King Charles
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle haven’t stopped making headlines since they returned to the U.K. in late August, but there have been reports that their time in Britain will be short-lived.
Although their return has brought some drama, if they go back to the U.S., it will likely be very upsetting to King Charles. And a few signs do point to them moving back.
For one, while the Sussexes have been staying at a friend’s estate in the Cotswolds, they have no plans to offload or rent out their Montecito mansion. According to News24, “A source said the $14.5million California estate is not being sold or rented, with staff still maintaining the luxury property.”
Moreover, the duke and duchess have said they experienced some security concerns with their children, Archie and Lilibet, being dropped off at school. The kids were previously pulled out of one school and sent to another.
On Sept. 30, a spokesperson for the couple said that international paparazzi were seen lurking around Archie and Lilibet’s new school.
“The decision by photographers to conduct themselves in this way around a school is extraordinarily reckless,” the statement read. “There is a world of difference between legitimate media activity and photographers walking the perimeter of a school, stopping to look into the grounds and monitoring children as they go about their day. It is concerning enough that certain European paparazzi appear unwilling to respect the privacy of children at school.
“But to behave in this manner in these particular circumstances, and so soon after the incident at RAF Fairford, demonstrates an extraordinary lack of judgment. Whatever photographs they may have been seeking, this was not only an unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children; it was an irresponsible and ill-considered way to conduct themselves in the vicinity of a school.”
Some in the U.K., though, are having a hard time buying that there’s been this much trouble for Harry and Meghan’s children when everyone knows where Prince William and the Princess of Wales’ (formerly known as Kate Middleton) children go to school, and the exact route they take when dropping off and picking them up, yet no photographers gather there. Not only that, but there are plenty of other children of famous people who attend school in England with no issues.
The timing is also interesting because the Sussexes have been pushing to get their police protection, which is taxpayer-funded security, back. Harry lost that when the couple stepped down as working royals, and they’ve been paying for their own private security since. The prince has previously lost in court when he tried to get that back. However, since they’re in the U.K. again, the RAVEC, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, is again reviewing Harry and Meghan’s security matter.
The Daily Mail reported that a decision is expected “within weeks,” and if they don’t get the taxpayer-funded security they’ve been pushing for, they’ll likely move back to Montecito. It’s believed that move would devastate King Charles, who then wouldn’t be able to see his grandchildren.
While the king has not made an official statement about that after it was announced that the Sussexes were moving back to the U.K., the Palace said the monarch was looking forward to spending more time with the family.
