Prince Harry’s back and forth over his battle for security ahead of his UK visit is under fire as an insider on royal security speaks out. The Duke of Sussex will travel from California in July, but questions remain about whether he will be accompanied by his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The Sussexes are expected to make a return to the UK – the first time since 2022 for Meghan, Archie and Lilibet – however, Prince Harry‘s ongoing battle for security has led to claims and counterclaims that he may or may not be joined by his family. The latest development is that Harry’s request for police protection was rejected, leading to reports that he is reconsidering his options.

As well as their attendance, questions about whether the family have been offered a stay in a royal residence by King Charles have been a prominent talking point, despite no official Palace guidance being provided.

Now, the insight of an expert with a deep knowledge of royal security has been shared in the latest episode of the Daily Expresso.

Speaking to host JJ Anisiobi, TalkTV host Mark Dolan said: “I spoke to somebody who was intimately involved in royal security for decades. He said to me: ‘This is all nonsense. It’s politics. It’s not security. It’s Harry flexing his muscles within the family.’

“He explained that whilst the RAVEC decision is on pause, there is a liaison with the police for the security team looking after Harry and Meghan. And he said it’s abundantly clear that as long as Harry is on British soil, he will be safe.”

Mr Dolan’s comments come after a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex issued a fiery statement in response to the confusing back and forth ahead of the family’s UK return.

They said in a statement: “Prince Harry’s programme in the United Kingdom includes both public and private engagements across the country. Safe accommodation is only one element of an effective protective security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.

“The issue has never been accommodation. The issue is whether appropriate and proportionate protective security is being provided throughout the entirety of the visit. The independent Risk Management Board that RAVEC itself decided was necessary last November has still not taken place. It is therefore difficult to understand how the proportionality of the current arrangements can credibly be maintained without that independent assessment.

“The Duke continues to explore every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely and to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the UK.”

Harry has faced a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over the security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK after his level of protection changed when he stepped down as a working royal in 2020.

Back in May 2025, Harry lost a legal case to have his police protection reinstated whenever he returns to the UK. In a bombshell BBC interview after the ruling, Harry said that it was “too dangerous” to bring his family to the UK as he could not guarantee their safety.

In December, it was claimed that Harry’s security access when he visits the UK was under review. But no change to the arrangements has been publicly announced.

A government spokesperson said: “The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our longstanding policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”

It also comes after he said that the UK was “too dangerous” for him and his family to return to. When asked during the ITV documentary Tabloids On Trial whether the legal battles attract more attention, Harry said: “There is more than enough attention on me and my wife anyway. They pushed me too far.

“It’s still dangerous, and all it takes is one lone actor, one person who reads this stuff to act on what they have read and whether it’s a knife or acid, whatever it is, and these are things that are of genuine concern for me.”