Harry, Meghan could fly children to UK for one day to get around security stoush

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are considering flying their children to the UK for just one day to avoid putting them in danger.

Prince Harry’s fight for taxpayer-funded security is continuing despite the 41-year-old being told his request to the government had been denied, just a week out from his planned return to the UK with his family.

To get around the issue, the duke is said to be looking at bringing Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to England for just 24 hours so they can be reunited with their grandfather King Charles.

Prince Harry and Meghan are believed to be holidaying in Europe, having travelled there from their base in Montecito, in California.

On Friday the couple had confirmed to media outlets that Prince Archie, seven, and Princess, Lilibet, five, would be joining them in the UK for the five-day visit.

The itinerary was based around Prince Harry’s Invictus Games and other charity-related appearances and due to take place in early July.

Read more

Princess Isabella is on cusp of making history as she redefines her role as a royal ‘spare’

The children were not due to attend any public events but were expected to see King Charles in what would have been their first face-to-face meeting since June, 2022.

But hours after confirming Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s plans to join their parents, there was a turnaround.

Prince Harry was said to be reconsidering bringing Meghan and the children back to the UK after his request for taxpayer-funded protection was denied.

He has previously said that without adequate, state-backed protection, his children would not be safe and that he could not risk putting them “in danger”.

A source close to the couple told The Telegraph UK the government was “wilfully creating conditions that are making it nearly impossible” for Harry and his family to move around Britain.

He had been waiting on a review by the risk management board after previous attempts to have his taxpayer-funded protection reinstated were denied. That review, which was due in March, has not happened.

Under the current arrangement, Harry must provide 28 days’ notice of his plans to visit Britain, with taxpayer-funded security decided on a case-by-case basis.

The Sussexes were offered accommodation at a royal residence by the king, which would guarantee their safety while on the property.

Prince Harry’s private security detail, who travel with the family, has done its own risk assessment and identified serious concerns.

A spokesperson for the duke said: “The duke continues to explore every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely and to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the UK”.

Harry is said to be “desperate” for his children to see the king.

The duke will reportedly carry on with his own plans for now, with a decision on his children to be made in the coming days.