Prince Harry to travel solo to London amid security flap

Prince Harry to travel solo to London amid security flap

Prince Harry will visit London next week without his wife, Meghan, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, following a dispute over police protection. A source close to the prince told AFP on Saturday that while Harry, 41, will proceed with the London portion of his trip, his family will not accompany him.

The visit is intended to mark the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games, which are scheduled for July 10 to 17 in Birmingham. The prince is also expected to attend engagements for other charities, including appearances supporting Scotty's Little Soldiers and WellChild, as well as a visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

The decision follows the rejection of an application for a dedicated security package. According to a source, Harry had assumed that because King Charles III made a royal residence available for the family, he would receive full-time police protection. However, the king reportedly made it clear that while he wants to see his son and grandchildren, he will not intervene in security matters. British policy dictates that official protection is guaranteed only to active members of the royal family, a status the Sussexes left in 2020.

A spokesperson for the duke stated on June 29 that the core issue is whether appropriate and proportionate protective security is being provided throughout the entirety of the visit. While the king offered accommodations on a royal estate, the security arrangements would not extend beyond the property.

The security conflict has been a long-standing tension for the duke. After losing a court case to restore full police protection, Harry told the BBC in May 2025,

"It's impossible for me to take my family back to the U.K. safely,"

adding that he could not see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point.

Further complicating the visit is the role of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, known as Ravec. A source close to the couple accused Ravec and the Home Office of wilfully creating conditions that are making it nearly impossible for the family to move safely. Representatives for the duke noted that while Ravec terms call for a Risk Management Board review at least once a year, Harry's last review was conducted nearly seven years ago. As of late June, a broader review of his security arrangements had not concluded.

Whether the rest of the family will visit the U.K. At all remains uncertain. The family had originally planned a five-day excursion around the country. The Independent reported that no decision has been made on the remaining itinerary, though some sources suggest Meghan and the children might join Harry midweek in Birmingham if private security deems it feasible. This could allow the Duchess of Sussex to make a public appearance at the National Exhibition Centre.

The potential trip also held personal significance. The family had planned a private visit to Althorp House in Northamptonshire so the children could visit the grave of their grandmother, Princess Diana. Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, have not seen King Charles III in person since June 2022, when they attended Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. For Lilibet, the Jubilee was her only prior visit to her father's home country.

Harry's relationship with his father remains strained. The two are believed to have briefly met in September 2025 at Clarence House, the first time they had met in 19 months. King Charles III is currently being treated for an undisclosed cancer. While reports suggest Harry desperately wants a reunion, it is unclear if the two will meet during this upcoming visit.

The situation has drawn criticism from observers. Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich told Fox News that the Sussexes have been blurring the line between being private citizens and wannabe celebrities while leveraging their royal connections.