Prince Harry reconsiders UK family trip after police protection denied

Security request denied

Prince Harry’s staff submitted a formal request for police protection during the planned five-day family visit to the UK, scheduled to begin in early July. On Friday 26 June, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), the government body that assesses security for senior royals, informed the Duke’s team that no taxpayer-funded protection would be provided. A UK government spokesperson said the system is “rigorous and proportionate” and that details of individual security arrangements are not disclosed.

“The protection system is rigorous and proportionate.”

Family visit in doubt

The trip was intended to be the first visit for Harry, Meghan, and their children Archie and Lilibet to the UK since 2022. The Duke’s team had accepted an offer from King Charles III to stay at a royal estate during the visit, but Buckingham Palace sources say no formal confirmation of the acceptance has been received. Without police protection, the family would have to rely on private security, which the Duke currently uses in California, except when staying inside a royal property where some level of protection would be provided.

Harry’s response

Sources close to Prince Harry tell the BBC that he is “deeply disappointed” by the decision and is now reconsidering the travel plans. He is still seeking a way to make the journey possible and is expected to decide in the coming days. One option under consideration is for Harry to travel alone, leaving Meghan and the children in the US. The Duke last saw his father, King Charles III, in September 2025 for tea at Clarence House; the King last saw his grandchildren at the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Invictus Games countdown

The visit was timed to coincide with the start of the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games 2027, set for Birmingham next July. Harry founded the games for wounded military veterans and acts as patron. Events in London and the Midlands were planned as part of the visit, which was expected to last around five days. With the security dispute unresolved, the trip’s future remains uncertain, though Harry’s commitment to the Invictus Games suggests he will attempt to attend even if it means scaling back family participation.