The Duke of Sussex recently turned down an offer from his father to stay at a royal residence earlier this month, citing security concerns as the primary reason for his decision.
Despite traveling from California to London for a brief three-night visit to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, he did not manage to meet with the King during his time in the UK.
It has been reported that he had expressed a desire to have a personal meeting with his father, but upon his arrival, he released a statement indicating that the meeting would not take place, attributing the cancellation to the King’s busy schedule.
Although the Duke of Sussex no longer resides officially in the United Kingdom, his father did extend an invitation for him to stay at an undisclosed royal residence.
This gesture could have provided them with an opportunity to spend quality time together and relax from their hectic schedules if it had been accepted.
However, the absence of adequate security arrangements in the offer led the Duke to decline, as it meant staying in a highly visible location without police protection and with public access points.
Consequently, he chose to stay at a hotel, a practice he has adopted during his recent travels, allowing him to move discreetly.
Royal residences are known for their high level of security, with permanent security personnel stationed at entrances, ensuring a safe environment.
Despite this, the Duke remains concerned about his safety outside these fortified locations.
The loss of automatic police protection privileges has become a significant point of contention for him, posing a barrier to any potential reconciliation with his father.
Following the Royal Assembly’s Protection and Security Committee (RAVEC) announcement in February 2020 regarding the reduced security measures for his family’s visits to Britain, he sought legal recourse, arguing for a more personalized security approach tailored to each visit.
In a statement presented to the High Court, the Duke expressed feeling compelled to step back from his royal duties and leave the United Kingdom due to what he perceived as discriminatory treatment by the Home Office.
He alleged that his family was unfairly denied automatic security rights, leading him to believe that the decision to leave was not entirely voluntary but rather coerced.
Despite offering to cover his security expenses, he was informed that the Metropolitan Police Service was not available for private hire, resulting in substantial legal costs exceeding one million pounds after his unsuccessful challenge in February.
The Duke’s requests for enhanced security measures have consistently been met with refusal, except for instances such as his attendance at royal events like the coronation.
Upon his return to the UK in February, he was accompanied by police from Heathrow Airport to Clarence House for a meeting with the King, shortly after the monarch’s cancer diagnosis.
However, when he left the residence for his hotel, he was without police protection, highlighting his vulnerability outside secure locations.
As a result, the Duke currently feels hesitant about bringing his family, including his wife and children, to the United Kingdom, especially since his offer to fund his own security arrangements was turned down, leaving him dissatisfied with the situation.