Prince Harry and Meghan should pay for their own security needs, public says in new poll

The public thinks Prince Harry and Meghan should pay for all or at least part of their security detail, a new poll has revealed.

In a YouGov poll of 2,128 British adults for The Times , 71 per cent said the government should not fund any of the family’s security.

It emerged last week that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they intend to return to the UK and have enrolled their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, in British schools.

The couple relocated to Montecito, California, in 2020 after stepping away from royal duties, with their relationship with Buckingham Palace becoming increasingly strained.

The poll also found that 87 per cent believe the Sussexes’ private funds should fund all or the majority of their security, while 52 per cent said the King should be responsible for funding the majority or some of their security needs.

Questions have been raised over the Sussexes’ finances as decisions about whether taxpayers will foot the bill for their security remain unanswered, but the duchess will continue to run her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from their new base.

Prime minister Andy Burnham would not be drawn on Harry and Meghan’s security arrangements in the UK, saying the funding for it was a “private matter”.

After his level of protection changed when he stepped down as a working royal in 2020, the duke has faced a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over security for him and his family while they are in the UK, and their arrangements may change when they become permanent residents again.

At the end of June, Harry was still waiting for a review by the Risk Management Board, part of the process by which the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) rules on his security requirements, and he and his security detail were working to try to ensure his July visit could go ahead safely.

Individual decisions on protective security for key public figures, including members of the royal family, are made by Ravec – which includes the Home Office, Metropolitan Police and Royal Household – which advises an independent chairperson.

The Times reported Ravec is understood to be planning to restart its review of Harry’s claim for taxpayer-funded security.

The poll found that despite their disagreements in recent years, the public are still holding out hope that Harry and his brother Prince William will reconcile once they are living in the same country.

In the survey, 58 per cent said they wanted a reconciliation, but 35 per cent did not believe it would be possible.

William and Kate have not reacted publicly to the news of Harry and Meghan’s return, but may have private conversations with the wider family during the summer break at Balmoral.