An expert has claimed that Prince Harry made a ‘mistake’ by having an “unreasonable expectation” ahead of his upcoming return to the UK.
The Duke of Sussex is set to travel from his US home to London for his upcoming High Court trial against News Group Newspapers, which begins on Tuesday.
It has been revealed that he will receive “limited police protection” during his visit, despite losing his legal fight for taxpayer-funded security, reports the Mirror.
According to a source, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has agreed to assign armed officers from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command to the Duke of Sussex.
This decision follows Prince Harry’s legal challenge last year, which he lost, over his security in the UK after his status was downgraded when he stopped being a working royal.
Although it is unclear where Prince Harry will stay during his time in the UK, as he no longer has a residence here. It is understood he was offered a place to stay at Buckingham Palace but declined the offer, with former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believing this decision is unwise.
Speaking to the Mirror, she said: “I think he will be mildly annoyed that he is not being given full police protection, but this is a step in the right direction as far as he is concerned. I think it is a PR mistake to turn down accommodation at Buckingham Palace, where security is guaranteed and already paid for.
“It seems unreasonable to expect police protection around a hotel just because he chooses to turn down a perfectly good offer of secure accommodation.”
When Harry returns to the UK, his wife Meghan Markle will stay behind with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Meghan has not set foot in the UK since September 2022, during the period of the late Queen’s passing.
During a previous hearing regarding his security arrangements in the UK, Harry stated that it would be unsafe to bring his wife and children to the UK unless they were automatically granted police protection.
Jennie added: “I still don’t think he will feel comfortable bringing Meghan and the children here unless there is a guarantee of full police protection. And I suspect Meghan has no particular desire to come back here anyway.”
During Harry’s recent brief visits to Britain, many have wondered whether he would reconnect with his estranged royal relatives, particularly his father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William.
It appears Harry last seen his father nearly a year ago, when he rushed to the UK after the news of his fathers cancer diagnosis was made public. Although Harry has been to the UK several times since but has not seen his dad, who is still having cancer treatment.
Reports have indicated that the two are not on speaking terms, with the issue of his security being a major point of friction.
Meanwhile, Harry is believed to have not spoken to William, who he has a strained relationship with for several years, since the death of their grandmother, the late Queen.
The two brothers came together to attend the memorial service in Norfolk for their late uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, the husband of their aunt Jane, Princess Diana’s sister. However, despite both attending the service, the pair are believed to have not spoken and reportedly kept their distance from each other.
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Royal correspondent Jennie believes that any family meet ups in the weeks ahead seems unlikely, but there might be a possibility.
She stated: “I think we’ve given up expecting any meeting between Harry and his family when he visits the UK. I imagine that his days will be consumed by the court case, but if there is a chance of meeting his father, I suppose it is possible.
“However, there is absolutely no sign of any reconciliation between Harry and William. So any meeting between them is remains unlikely in the extreme.”
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