The Duke of Sussex is ensuring the safety and security of his family remains his utmost priority as he plans his children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's first UK visit since 2022.
It has previously been reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two children will split their time between a mixture of royal residences and private accommodation when they travel from their Montecito home to the UK next month.
Now, a spokesperson for the Duke has issued a new statement addressing some questions around his security arrangements, clarifying that the "issue has never been accommodation" and adding that the protective father will "explore every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely."
The statement read: "Prince Harry’s programme in the United Kingdom includes both public and private engagements across the country. Safe accommodation is only one element of an effective protective security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.
"The issue has never been accommodation. The issue is whether appropriate and proportionate protective security is being provided throughout the entirety of the visit. The independent Risk Management Board that RAVEC itself decided was necessary last November has still not taken place.
"It is therefore difficult to understand how the proportionality of the current arrangements can credibly be maintained without that independent assessment.
"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 UK."
Harry's security battle
© Samir Hussein/WireImageKing Charles' youngest son Prince Harry's police protection was removed when he stepped down as a senior working royal and relocated to the United States in 2020. This has been a point of contention with his family, with Harry previously stating that his father "won't speak to me because of this security stuff", and insisting that he "can't see a world" in which he returned with his wife and children.
Over the past five years, he has challenged the Home Office over the situation in court and has been awaiting the outcome of a review agreed by the Home Secretary.
Planned itinerary
© David GoddardCurrently, the Sussexes are continuing their itinerary as planned. This includes kicking off their visit with an Invictus Games Foundation event at Chatham House, followed by a meeting with Chelsea pensioners at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which will be Harry and Meghan's first joint engagement together in the UK since 2020.
As Patron of WellChild, Harry will visit the Birmingham Children's Hospital to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first WellChild Nurse, before marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games at the National Exhibition Centre.
Aside from planned public engagements, which will not be attended by Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Harry is also reportedly hoping to add some personal trips, including taking his children to visit their late grandmother, Princess Diana's final resting place on Althorp Estate.
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetAccording to The Sun, their trip to Diana's brother Charles, 9th Earl Spencer's estate would take place just days after what would have been the late Princess of Wales' 65th birthday on 1 July.
While Harry's last visit to the UK took place in September 2025, when he spent 50 minutes having tea with his father King Charles at Clarence House, Meghan and the couple's children have not spent time in the UK since the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
