Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have dropped plans to buy a home in the UK until the couple’s security situation is sorted, it has been claimed.
For months it has been thought the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been house hunting in Britain, hoping to have a regular base for when in the country.
Not only would it provide the couple with a place to stay when visiting, but ti would also give them somewhere to call home and more flexibility around how long they spend in the UK.
But security concerns are said to have put the plans on hold.
While Harry is eager to spend more time in his home country, it has been claimed he feels unable to bring his children with him while a row over his personal protection is unresolved.
“Harry really does want to spend more time in the UK but doesn’t feel comfortable doing that until the security issues have been ironed out,” a source told the Daily Express.
“He and Meghan planned on looking for a part-time home near Windsor this year and hoped that the appeals process would be heard before the end of July so that they could properly start their search.
“However, the court process seems to be taking its time.”
Prince Harry has taken legal action against the Home Office over his security arrangements
PA
The Duke of Sussex had his security while in the UK downgraded after he stopped being a working royal.
The committee which oversees security arrangements for the Royal Family and other high profile public figures, known as “Ravec”, determined the duke’s security arrangement should be “bespoke” given his unusual circumstances.
Harry has claimed that the changes put the welfare of him and his family at risk when visiting the UK and launched legal action against the Home Office.
The Prince lost his initial legal challenge in the High Court in February but is now taking action in the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision.
In a statement earlier this year, a legal spokesperson for Harry said: “The duke is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules, ensuring that he receives the same consideration as others in accordance with Ravec’s own written policy.
“In February 2020, Ravec failed to apply its written policy to the Duke of Sussex and excluded him from a particular risk analysis.
“The duke’s case is that the so-called ‘bespoke process’ that applies to him is no substitute for that risk analysis.
“The Duke of Sussex hopes he will obtain justice from the court of appeal, and makes no further comment while the case is ongoing.”