Prince Harry Awaits Court Ruling On UK Return

As the British public and royal watchers alike await the outcome of Prince Harry’s high-stakes legal battle over police protection in the UK, speculation is swirling about whether the Duke of Sussex—and perhaps even his entire family—may soon set foot on British soil once more. According to multiple reports, including coverage by the Daily Mail and Mirror, Prince Harry is expected to return to the UK with his children, Archie and Lilibet, if he secures a favorable verdict in his ongoing court battle for automatic armed police protection.

For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the issue of security has been a sticking point since their move to the United States in 2020. The couple, who stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California, have argued that their safety—particularly that of their young children—depends on robust, official protection during any visits to the UK. The verdict on their plea for taxpayer-funded police protection is expected soon, and Harry is reportedly confident about the outcome, according to the Mirror.

But the question on everyone’s mind isn’t just about Harry’s return. It’s whether Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, will join him—and under what circumstances she might receive the same level of security. Meghan last visited the UK for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, a somber occasion that drew the world’s attention. Since then, Archie, now six, and Lilibet, four, have remained in the United States, never having met their British cousins, despite Archie’s notable position as sixth in line to the throne.

The issue of security for Meghan Markle is a particularly thorny one. As highlighted by veteran royal commentator Sarah Vine in the Daily Mail, there’s considerable debate about whether Meghan, who is not a British citizen, should be entitled to the same taxpayer-funded protection as her husband or children. Vine’s opinion has sparked conversation across the UK: “There is only one instance in which it would be acceptable for the taxpayer to foot the bill for Meghan’s presence on this island, and that is if she accompanies Lilibet and Archie as they visit their British relatives,” she wrote. “They deserve to see their family. Archie, believe it or not, is sixth in the line to the throne. The fact that he and Lilibet have not yet met their cousins is plain wrong.”

Vine’s comments reflect a wider sentiment among some in the British public, who see the Sussexes’ security needs as a complicated blend of family ties, royal protocol, and personal wealth. She continued, “Otherwise, she can do what every other celebrity does: pay for her own security. After all, she can well afford it. It transpired recently, according to calculations based on figures from her own website, that she’s sold almost £27 million worth of her ‘signature fruit spread’ in America.”

According to the Mirror and Daily Mail, the debate over Meghan’s security is set to intensify if she does in fact accompany Harry and their children to the UK. Some royal experts predict Meghan may avoid high-profile returns, preferring to remain in the US, while others believe her return could be imminent—especially with major royal and public events on the horizon.

One such event is the Invictus Games, scheduled to take place in Birmingham in the summer of 2026. The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, is an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women. Meghan has previously joined her husband at Invictus Games ceremonies in Canada and Germany, and her participation in the upcoming Birmingham event would mark a significant public return. According to the Mirror, Harry is almost certain to attend, as the event will mark the one-year countdown to the tournament. Whether Meghan will be by his side—and, crucially, under the protection of British police—is still up in the air.

For many, the heart of the matter is not just about security, but about family. Archie and Lilibet’s absence from the UK—and from their royal cousins—has not gone unnoticed. Their move to the US in 2020 created a physical and emotional distance between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family. As Sarah Vine put it, “The fact that he and Lilibet have not yet met their cousins is plain wrong.” The possibility of a reunion, facilitated by a court decision on police protection, is seen by some as an overdue opportunity for healing and reconnection.

Still, the return of the Sussexes, especially Meghan, is not without controversy. Some royal insiders and commentators have suggested that Meghan’s presence risks “setting off something exhausting,” as reported by the Daily Mail. There are concerns that her return could reignite tensions within the royal family, with Prince William and Princess Kate reportedly bracing themselves for renewed public and media scrutiny. Meghan herself has been described as having “the power to upset the royals,” and her every move is watched closely by the press and public alike.

The financial aspect of the Sussexes’ security is another point of contention. With Meghan’s entrepreneurial success—her ‘signature fruit spread’ reportedly raking in nearly £27 million in the US, according to figures cited by Sarah Vine—some argue that the couple should fund their own protection, just as other high-profile celebrities do. Yet the unique risks associated with their royal status, as well as the children’s place in the line of succession, complicate the issue.

As the Duke and Duchess await the court’s decision, the public conversation continues to evolve. The outcome will have far-reaching implications—not just for the Sussexes’ travel plans, but for the broader relationship between the royal family and the British state. If Harry wins back his police protection, a family reunion in the UK may finally be on the cards, with Archie and Lilibet meeting their cousins for the first time. Whether Meghan will join them, and under what conditions, remains to be seen.

For now, all eyes are on the courtroom and the palace gates. The verdict could shape the future of royal visits, family ties, and public expectations for years to come.