Does Prince Harry Fear for Meghan Markle’s Safety in the U.K.?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s long-standing intricacies with the royal family have taken a dark turn. The recent news of their skipped Christmas trip to the U.K. has ignited a fresh wave of controversy, reigniting old debates about their security concerns.

In 2020, Harry’s request for a security detail was denied by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, who stripped him and Meghan of “working” royal status and deemed them ineligible for government protection. Harry offered to pay for private security, but the committee blocked his attempt to hire government employees as personal bodyguards.

The private security team hired by Harry would not be allowed to access many of the royal family’s private quarters. This limitation leaves the Duke of Sussex with few options, creating a massive headache for the couple.

In a prepared statement, Harry’s attorney declared the couple’s deep fear of returning home. “It was with great sadness to both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020,” the attorney quoted Harry as saying, citing their ongoing safety concerns (via People).

In his statement, Harry asserts that he refuses to endanger his wife or himself, drawing on his past experiences. Harry writes, “I can’t put my wife in danger like that, and given my experiences in life, I’m reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”

In a poll by Redfield & Wilton for Newsweek, Harry and Meghan saw a surge in their popularity in the U.S. This surge in popularity was largely helped by their Netflix show, “Harry & Meghan,” and Harry’s memoir, “Spare.”

In a recent letter, it was discovered that the late Queen Elizabeth also wished that Harry and Meghan would continue to have security while they moved to the U.S. in 2020, saying it was “imperative” that the couple “continue to be provided with effective security” against “extremists” (via People).

According to Harry, the Sussexes were falling apart due to the negative media coverage that included an intimate letter between Meghan and her estranged father (via Vogue). The Daily Mail published the letter, sparking controversy among the public.

“The journey to justice can be a slow and painful one and since bringing my claim almost five years ago defamatory stories and intimidating tactics have been deployed against me and at my family’s expense,” the courtroom statement continues.

Whether Harry and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties on their behalf or were forced out has been a topic of debate since their marriage. The duke stated in his recent letter that he “felt forced” to step back from his royal duties to protect his family.

Some outlets, such as the India Times, believe that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not return to the U.K. for the holidays since they will not have private security during their visit. However, this does not mean that the couple will never return to England.

That apology might come sooner than later. Reports of polite and warm phone calls between Harry and his father, King Charles III, show signs that the couple is not completely severed from the royal family.