As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex gear up for their quasi-royal tour of Colombia, concerns have arisen regarding their choice to bypass the UK due to security concerns, potentially causing them to miss the funeral of Harry’s uncle, Sir Robert Fellowes.
The Home Office has stipulated that Harry must give 28 days’ notice before arriving in the UK to allow time for an adequate security plan to be put in place. But does this mean he’s unable to visit the UK without it? I have my doubts.
Given Prince Harry’s track record of making spontaneous trips to the UK, it raises the question: Is this decision truly about security concerns, or does it reflect other priorities or perhaps just an attempt at making a point?
When news broke of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, Prince Harry managed to fly to the UK within days, offering his support to his father and returning to the United States within 48 hours. Likewise, his attendance at the late Queen’s funeral was arranged with little notice, suggesting that when the matter is sufficiently urgent, the security concerns are either minimised or successfully managed.
So, it raises the question as to why Harry continues his crusade against the Home Office to have his security upgraded. Is it because he feels inadequate with a downgraded protection team now that he’s stepped away from the Royal Family? RAVEC seems to provide adequate security for him while he is in England, suggesting that the issue might be more about personal ego than about actual security concerns.
Prince Harry’s past actions indicate that he can and will make the journey to the UK on short notice when the situation demands it. So, if security is not an insurmountable barrier, could the Sussexes’ decision to fly to crime-ridden Colombia instead of coming over to a much safer UK signal something deeper about their relationship with the Royal Family and their shifting priorities?
One could argue that Prince Harry, who is becoming increasingly more distanced from the Royal Family, is now more selective about the events he attends, rather than being bound by the 28 day notice required for his security arrangements.
Harry’s presence at Robert Fellwoes’ funeral would undoubtedly attract media attention, potentially overshadowing the occasion. Avoiding such a scenario might be seen as a considerate choice, but it also speaks to the growing divide between Harry and those he holds dear in the UK.
With their upcoming tour of Colombia, the Sussexes are clearly focusing on their international profile which seems to throw any security concerns out of the window. This tour is a significant opportunity for them to engage with global issues and shine a light on their international anti-cyberbullying campaign.
By avoiding the UK, the Sussexes risk further alienating themselves from the Royal Family and the British public. While they have every right to pursue their own path, their actions continue to fuel speculation about their relationship with the monarchy and where their true loyalties lie.
In the end, whether Prince Harry’s absence from his home country is due to security concerns, diary clashes, or a conscious decision to focus on other priorities, it highlights the complex and often strained relationship between the Sussexes and the Firm.
As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle navigate their new lives outside the royal fold, each choice they make carries weight – not just for brand Sussex, but for their ongoing connection to the institution they were once so very much a part of.
