Sussex security review underway as Harry and Meghan settle in UK

The royal security committee has opened a formal review of Harry and Meghan's publicly funded police protection now that they have returned to the United Kingdom as full-time residents. Ravec, the royal and VIP executive committee that oversees tax-funded security arrangements for members of the royal family and other public figures, met last week to assess the couple's case. The decision marks a significant shift: for the first time since the couple stepped back as working royals in 2020, their security needs will be evaluated against the backdrop of permanent UK residency rather than occasional visits.

The timing of the review reflects a fundamental change in the Sussexes' circumstances. They arrived in the UK on August 26, and within days, King Charles issued a formal letter reiterating their status as non-working royals—describing them as individuals "akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests." That letter also stated that "any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities." The language was precise and consequential: it signaled that the couple's security arrangements would no longer automatically fall under the royal umbrella. Ravec's chair informed Harry last week that the committee had commissioned separate risk assessments for both him and Meghan, taking into account their new residential status.

This review arrives against the backdrop of a legal battle Harry fought and lost. Last year, he mounted a legal challenge against the Home Office after automatic tax-funded security for him and his family was withdrawn when they stepped down as working royals. In his witness statement, Harry argued that the UK remained central to his children's heritage and that he could not ensure their safety without publicly funded protection. "The UK is my home," he wrote. "That cannot happen if it's not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil." The court did not agree, and the security was withdrawn. Now, with the family back on UK soil permanently, Ravec must decide whether to restore or maintain some level of publicly funded protection.

The committee has requested detailed information from the couple to inform its decision. They have asked Harry and Meghan to provide their schedules and daily routines, including details about the school run—a request that underscores how granular these assessments have become. The couple's choice of schools has already proven sensitive. Two days after their children started at a new school, the family withdrew them, citing security concerns related to the length of the journey and traffic conditions. A family spokesperson told Hello! magazine that the decision was made "following a discussion with the family's security team about the practicalities of their current arrangements." The statement emphasized that the move reflected logistical concerns rather than any dissatisfaction with the school itself.

The outcome of Ravec's review will carry real financial and practical consequences. If the committee determines that publicly funded protection is warranted, British taxpayers will continue to bear the cost. If not, the Sussexes will need to arrange private security at their own expense. The review is expected to weigh factors including the couple's public profile, any documented threats, their children's safety needs, and the broader question of whether their status as non-working royals justifies public expenditure on their protection. Harry's case is still pending a decision from his July request for a security review; Meghan's assessment is now underway. The committee's conclusions, when they come, will effectively determine the terms on which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex can safely inhabit their home country.