Prince Harry’s Concerns About Meghan’s Safety in the UK
Prince Harry has shared his heartfelt reasons for keeping Meghan, his wife, away from the UK. He has genuine worries about her safety, which makes the possibility of the Sussexes returning there slim.
In 2020, Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stepped down from their roles as senior working royals, marking the end of their official duties in the UK.
The couple now resides in Montecito, California, a serene town that is also home to well-known personalities like Rob Lowe, Oprah Winfrey, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Here, they are busy raising their two children, Prince Archie, aged six, and Princess Lilibet, aged four.
Since her departure five years ago, Meghan, now 44, has been actively involved in her own lifestyle brand based in California, which served as a setting for her successful Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan.”
Harry, 40, has made it clear that their future remains in California. Alongside working on the Invictus Games and his frequent overseas trips for various events, he released his revealing autobiography “Spare” in January 2023.
Media Attention and Its Impact
During an ITV program titled “Tabloids on Trial” last year, Prince Harry voiced his unease about bringing Meghan back to his homeland due to persistent media attention.
He explained that his concern stemmed from how the media had portrayed Meghan, highlighting how influential and inflammatory media coverage could lead lone individuals to dangerous actions.
Harry candidly said, “All it takes is for one lone actor who reads this stuff to act on what they’ve read.” He further expressed his fears stating, “And whether it’s a knife or acid, these are things that are genuine concerns for me. It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”
The protection Harry once had received downgrading after a 2020 decision by Ravec, which manages security for high-ranking officials, and this was reaffirmed by the UK High Court earlier this year.
In May at the Royal Courts of Justice, Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos conveyed the court’s support of the decision. According to Sky News, though Harry’s concerns were found “powerful and moving,” the judge noted his “sense of grievance” didn’t form a legal case.
When Harry contested High Court Judge Sir Peter Lane’s decision in February 2024 justifying the Ravec’s security downgrade, he gave a statement reaffirming the UK’s importance to his children.
Balancing Home and Safety Concerns
Although it’s been five years since living in the UK, Harry still holds the country dear, saying it remains his “home.” He wants his children to feel connected to the UK as part of their heritage.
“The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home, as much as where they live at the moment in the United States,” he emphasized.
Yet, he remains firm that their safety is paramount. He simply cannot allow them to return if their security is a concern.
Harry concluded, “I cannot put my wife in danger like that, and given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”
