Prince Harry has affirmed that the United Kingdom is still his home, despite relocating to California with his wife Meghan Markle in 2020. In a written statement read in a London court, the Duke of Sussex emphasized the importance of the UK to his children’s heritage and expressed his desire for them to feel at home there. He argued that their safety on UK soil is crucial and that without appropriate protection, he would be putting his wife and himself in danger.
Harry also claimed that he and Markle were pushed out of the UK, stating: “It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020.” This contradicts the narrative they had previously presented, where their departure from royal life was portrayed as a joint decision. However, royal expert Omid Scobie suggested that the couple may not have made this choice if a family member had supported them.
Buckingham Palace had previously stated that senior royals were blindsided by Harry and Markle’s decision to leave. They acknowledged the couple’s desire for a different approach but emphasized that resolving the complex issues would take time.
In February 2021, Harry and Markle officially resigned from all royal duties. Despite this, they expressed their commitment to their duty and service to the UK and the world, offering continued support to the organizations they had represented.
They have been living up their decision
However, the couple faced consequences for their decision. King Charles III decided to evict them from Frogmore Cottage and allocate the royal property to Prince Andrew. Additionally, as non-working royals, they were stripped of their security. Harry has expressed concerns about his family’s safety when traveling to the UK.
In a petition filed in January 2022, Harry highlighted the well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats his family has faced. He even offered to cover the costs of private security himself to alleviate the burden on British taxpayers. The decision on Harry’s security case is expected to be made at a later date.
Despite their relocation to California, Prince Harry’s statement emphasizes his attachment to the UK as his home and underscores the significance of maintaining his family’s safety while on British soil. The ongoing legal battle for taxpayer-funded police security reflects his determination to ensure their protection.