Prince Harry is gearing up for his upcoming High Court trial against News Group Newspapers, set to take place in the UK. However, the Duke of Sussex will be making the journey alone, without his wife, Meghan Markle, or their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Harry is expected to travel from his California residence to attend the trial, with “limited” police protection arranged for his visit. This comes after the Duke lost a legal battle earlier to restore taxpayer-funded security for his trips to the UK. The decision highlights ongoing concerns about his safety while in the UK, especially as it relates to his family.
Although Harry was offered accommodations at Buckingham Palace during his stay, he declined the offer and opted to arrange his own lodging instead. This choice has sparked debate, with some questioning the reasoning behind his decision. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond weighed in on the matter, telling The Mirror, “Refusing the Palace’s offer of secure accommodations is a PR misstep. The Palace guarantees top-level security at no extra cost, so expecting additional police protection for a hotel stay seems unreasonable.”
Harry’s ongoing security issues stem from a 2020 ruling by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which determined that he would no longer be entitled to the same level of publicly funded protection after stepping down from his royal duties. In court documents, Harry has expressed significant concern for his children’s safety, citing fears that the UK cannot offer adequate protection.
In his statement, Harry shared, “It was with great sadness that my wife and I felt forced to step back and leave the country in 2020. The UK is my home.” His concerns about safety continue to shape his decision-making, and it remains unclear how his upcoming trial and visit will impact his future choices regarding returning to the UK with his family.
As the February trial approaches, royal experts are speculating on whether Harry’s trip will influence his long-term decisions about living in the UK and returning with his family. His decision to decline the Palace’s accommodations, along with his ongoing security concerns, reflects the complexities of his relationship with the royal family and his ongoing struggle to adapt to life outside the monarchy.
