The Duke of Sussex is reconsidering plans to bring his wife and children to the UK next month after his request for police protection was rejected, the BBC understands.<\/p>\n
Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and his two children, Archie and Lilibet, were due to make a family visit to the UK for the first time in four years.<\/p>\n
His team had put in a formal request for police security while in the UK but it is understood they were told on Friday that no taxpayer funded security would be provided.<\/p>\n
Sources say that Prince Harry is distraught about the decision, made just days before the family is due to arrive, but he would still like to find a way to make the trip work.<\/p>\n
The prince’s team had been waiting for the result of a security review by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), which decides on the security provision for senior royals for the Home Office.<\/p>\n
On Friday, after announcing details of the UK visit, his team was told no police protection would be provided for the family.<\/p>\n
A government spokesman said its protective security system was “rigorous and proportionate”.<\/p>\n
“It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security,” the spokesman added.<\/p>\n
Prince Harry and Meghan had already accepted an offer to stay on a royal estate during the trip as a guest of King Charles, although the location of the royal residence selected had not been made public.<\/p>\n
They were also expected to use private accommodation while in the UK.<\/p>\n
Police protection would be available while staying on a royal estate but outside of those times Prince Harry would have to rely on the private security team travelling with him from California.<\/p>\n
The family were due to be in the UK for around five days.<\/p>\n
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was planning to join her husband on a number of public engagements in London and the Midlands.<\/p>\n
The visit was timed to mark the start of the year-long countdown to the Invictus Games for injured military personnel due to be held in Birmingham next July. Prince Harry is a founder of the games.<\/p>\n
He was also expected to visit other UK-based charities he has continued to support since his move to California.<\/p>\n
On previous visits, Prince Harry has declined the offer to stay at Buckingham Palace due to security concerns over using such a high-profile, visible building.<\/p>\n