Prince Harry is reportedly looking for enhanced security to bring Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the U.K. to go to King Charles.
Nevertheless, palace sources say they’re concerned in regards to the suggestion that the grandchildren may very well be used as leverage, while the duke’s allies insist the request is about safety, not manipulation.
Any visit, including to Sandringham, appears contingent on security arrangements. At the identical time, pressure is growing for Prince Harry and Meghan to be given a “half-in, half-out” royal role out of fear that they could “crash and burn” on their very own.
Prince Harry Accused Of Using Children As Leverage While Requesting Enhanced Security For Visit To King Charles
In line with The Sunday Times, a source near Harry says he wants “an enhanced package of security, so he can stay so long as he wants each time he wants, and see his father with the youngsters.”
The report suggests Harry hopes for an invite to Sandringham, but any visit would depend upon the safety arrangements being agreed to.
A source noted, “Would he go? It might depend upon who was there. If the king was to say, ‘Come up and spend a while with the family,’ he’d love that.”
But palace insiders have reportedly reacted strongly, saying they might be “horrified by any suggestion of using the king’s grandchildren as a type of bargaining tool.”
The dispute centers on Harry’s insistence that he cannot safely bring his family without increased protection.
Prince Harry And The Palace Reportedly Clashed Over Grandchildren’s Visits And Security
Tensions between Harry and the palace have run high for years. In 2024, friends of the king accused Harry of implying Charles might never see his grandchildren unless security concerns were met.
Harry has argued publicly that Meghan could face serious threats from the press and the general public if she returned to the U.K.
In line with the Day by day Beast, Omid Scobie’s book “Endgame” also recalled Harry telling Charles, “Don’t you need to see your grandchildren again?” after being asked to go away Frogmore Cottage.
On the time, a friend of the king called it “emotional blackmail,” while one other noted that denying the youngsters a meaningful relationship with their grandfather could have long-term consequences.
The last time Charles saw Archie and Lilibet in person was in the course of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, with contact since then largely limited to video calls.
Allies of Harry insist that is about safety, not manipulation, while palace sources have highlighted the potential consequences of blending private family visits with formal royal security arrangements.
Prince Harry Believes His Father Can Fix His Security Issues
The Sandringham situation adds one other layer of complexity. Harry reportedly appears open to visiting on royal grounds, but provided that he receives the improved security he wants.
The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) has change into central to the feud, with each side blaming the opposite.
For years, Charles avoided talking to Harry partly because he was suing the federal government, and there have been fears that personal discussions may very well be misused.
Nevertheless, in keeping with the Day by day Beast, Harry’s camp has argued the dispute isn’t really about security, saying it’s rooted in “power and control” over him relatively than real safety concerns.
Sources say the present system works perfectly for the palace: requiring Harry and Meghan to offer 28 days’ notice and pre-approve plans “suits the palace all the way down to the bottom.”
Harry’s side has asked why Charles doesn’t overrule the committee. Officially, it’s considered “inappropriate,” but sources say the palace doesn’t want them flying out and in freely, showing up unpredictably, or acting like quasi-royals while living outside the institution.
Pressure Mounts For Prince Harry And Meghan Markle To Get ‘Half-In, Half-Out’ Royal Role
Meanwhile, pressure is growing on Charles to supply Harry and Meghan a “half-in, half-out” role inside the royal family, allowing them to perform duties even while living within the U.S.
Tina Brown, former Vanity Fair editor-in-chief, warned that the Sussexes could “crash and burn” financially if such an arrangement isn’t made.
Brown identified that Harry and Meghan’s current revenue streams, like their Netflix deal, are “beginning to dry up.”
She urged the palace to act before the couple faces serious financial trouble, suggesting they be given a “limited international role” to take care of their royal connections.
Brown made the comments in a recent “Fresh Hell” Substack essay amid reports that Netflix may pivot its royal coverage to Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Book Deal Might Be In Jeopardy
Brown’s claim about Harry and Meghan’s revenue streams drying up comes after a source revealed to NewsNation that Penguin Random House, the publisher behind the duke’s record-breaking memoir “Spare,” is “done” with the couple.
While Harry’s memoir was a world success, selling over 6 million copies, he has yet to put in writing one other book, despite signing a multi-book deal value around $40 million. As a substitute, he has allegedly been asking for more cash after collecting $20 million.
“The executives at Penguin Random House are fielding near weekly calls from Camp Sussex asking for more cash,” an industry source said. “They think there are royalties, but there aren’t. Penguin overpaid and, with marketing, printing, and other costs, even with thousands and thousands of copies sold, they may never earn out or get royalties.”
One other source noted, “Harry has a fundamental disconnect to the concept of cash, and definitely that cash can, indeed, run out.”
“Penguin Random House is finished with (the Sussexes.) It should never publish one other book by them. They were (financially) burned,” the source added.