King Charles convened a dinner with senior members of the Royal Family at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to discuss the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's potential visit and Prince Harry's demands for round-the-clock security.
The gathering, which included Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince William, and Prince Edward, took place while the royals were in the Scottish capital for the Order Of The Thistle service. The primary focus of the discussion was the uncertainty surrounding the Sussexes' impending visit, particularly Harry's claim that the trip was jeopardized by the refusal to provide taxpayer-funded security.
Sources indicate that the Home Office had previously decreed that the Sussexes, having moved overseas, no longer qualified for such security, a decision Harry lost a court appeal against. His sudden insistence on enhanced protection, leading to a potential trip cancellation, has been met with frustration from the Palace.
Two potential explanations for Harry's stance have been suggested: either he never intended to bring his wife and children to Britain, or he was attempting to pressure his father into intervening with the government's security decisions. King Charles, who has reportedly not seen his grandchildren since the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, has consistently refused to intervene in the security matter.
The article notes the significant public criticism the royal family has faced from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, particularly in Prince Harry's memoir 'Spare' and public statements. These have been described as damaging to the monarchy. The narrative suggests that Prince Harry's concerns about security are viewed with skepticism, given his past actions, such as settling in a country with protected gun ownership and detailing the number of Taliban members he killed in his memoir.
Royal correspondents reported a "real sense of frustration from the Palace" following the summit, interpreted as widespread anger among the senior royals regarding the situation.