UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that the security arrangements for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their upcoming return to Britain are a "private matter."
"It’s a matter for Harry and for Meghan," Burnham told the BBC in his first public comments on the couple's impending move. "We wish them well in the move that they are making."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to return to the UK for an extended period with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, by the end of the month. A source confirmed that the palace was informed of the move.
Archie and Lilibet are also anticipated to attend school in the UK. King Charles III, who is undergoing cancer treatment, was reportedly informed of the move on Sunday, despite having reunited with the Sussexes and their children in England last month. An insider suggested that King Charles's health may be a reason for their return.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their royal duties in 2020 and have since resided in Montecito, California. Their previous visit to the UK in July did not proceed as planned, as they were denied taxpayer-funded security, and Buckingham Palace withdrew its offer to accommodate them at a royal residence. During that trip, Harry spent most of his time alone, with Markle and their children joining him later for a meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Harry has made multiple attempts through legal channels to secure security for his family during visits to the UK, but these requests have been repeatedly denied. The provisions being made for their security upon their return to England remain undisclosed.
Last year, Harry expressed in a BBC interview that he could not envision a scenario where he would bring his wife and children back to the UK at that time, describing it as "quite sad" that he would not be able to show his children his homeland. He also conveyed a desire for "reconciliation" with his estranged family, emphasizing that "life is precious."
Despite the impending return, Harry is reportedly not on speaking terms with his brother, Prince William. It is also not anticipated that Archie and Lilibet will interact with Prince William and Kate Middleton's children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.