Prince Harry says UK family visit canceled over security dispute

The Duke of Sussex has stated that his family’s planned visit to the United Kingdom was “pulled out from under their feet at the 11th hour” after the government declined his request for police protection outside royal residences, according to a source close to Harry. Prince Harry and Meghan were planning their first trip to Britain as a family in four years for events related to the Invictus Games, scheduled for July in Birmingham. The duke had been excited for his children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, to be reunited with King Charles during the visit early next month. A source said Harry was “distraught” and would not subject his children to being “chased by paparazzi wherever they go.” The visit would have been the first time Charles had seen his youngest grandchildren in person since 2022. Harry lost a legal battle last year against the Home Office concerning automatic police protection while in the UK. He had since been granted a full risk assessment and was awaiting a final decision from the royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec). A government spokesperson said the protective security system is “rigorous and proportionate” and that it is policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements.

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Sources: The Guardian