Harry and Meghan’s UK security arrangements remain a ‘private matter’ – Andy Burnham

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that security arrangements for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they return to the UK are a "private matter". The couple plans to relocate with their children to a private residence outside London, according to the Home Office. The Home Office's Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) handles decisions on royal security, which are not under the Prime Minister's control.

The Sussexes' legal challenge last year over their security entitlement when visiting the UK has added to tensions regarding their security. The Home Office maintains that their protective security system is rigorous and proportionate, but it refrains from providing specific details as it could potentially undermine security. The Sussexes left the UK in 2020, moving to California.

While there is no indication that they intend to resume full-time royal duties, their high-profile status and the King's military service in Afghanistan may still warrant certain security considerations. It remains uncertain whether Prince Harry will receive taxpayer-funded security similar to what he had before stepping down as a working royal.

If he does not, he would need to finance any additional security himself. The couple's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will begin school in the UK next month, though the school and residence details have not been disclosed. The move, revealed by a source close to the family, aligns with the couple's desire to maintain an international lifestyle while potentially increasing their presence in the UK.

This decision comes after Prince Harry and Meghan visited the King at Highgrove in Gloucestershire in July, marking their first in-person meeting in over four years. The return to the UK also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death and upcoming Invictus Games in Birmingham, providing further reasons for the family's return.