Expert says Meghan Markle needs 1 ‘automatic’ concession for UK return | UK | News
Speculation is increasing about whether the Duchess of Sussex will accompany Prince Harry to the Invictus Games celebrations in Birmingham this summer, royal experts told Fox News Digital.
People magazine reported that Prince Harry, who is expected to attend the celebrations a year before the start of the Invictus Games, hopes to be with Meghan. However, a spokesperson for Archewell told Fox News Digital, “These reports are entirely speculative,” adding that no decisions have been made about the mother-of-two’s travel plans.
Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube’s “Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered,” told Fox News Digital: “If Meghan travels to the United Kingdom under the current RAVEC protocol, which requires 30 days’ notice to assess threat levels, I’m confident both Harry and Meghan will receive armed security for their appearance at Invictus.”
But Schofield added: “Recent headlines suggesting Meghan will only return if RAVEC reverses its original decision and provides automatic security appear to be an attempt to influence the committee’s latest threat assessment.”
While King Charles welcomed the reunion, Schofield claimed Meghan could expect a frosty reception from other members of the royal family. “I don’t think we’ll ever see working royals even acknowledge their existence,” he said. “The Sussexes’ credibility has been damaged over the last few years and the royal family wants to keep their distance… Harry has felt rejected by his family and his country and wants to focus on his US goals.”
Schofield added: “Meghan is usually there to support Harry’s countdown to Invictus, but I find it hard to believe she will come this time. I don’t believe Meghan will travel to the UK for this event. I don’t believe she will be there.”
Lack of automatic armed guard is a sticking point
Schofield claimed Prince Harry had armed protection on most of his visits to the UK, but the problem for the couple was the lack of security with automatic weapons. “They object to having to seek protection on a case-by-case basis. This outcome was made clear when they chose to step back from their roles as working members of the royal family,” he said.
Harry’s decision to reject full-time armed guard while in the UK could soon be reversed, with an insider telling the Mail on Sunday: “This is now a formality. Sources at the Home Office have stated that security for Harry has now been tightened.” People magazine also reported that the governing body had made “positive” assessments of the possible return and that a review was currently ongoing.
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner said: “I sense discussions are ongoing to open the door for Harry and Meghan to return to the UK as part of King Charles’ legacy to unite the family while he has the strength and power to do so.” he said.
Turner added: “Meghan will want a lot of reassurances, especially about how she is treated and how she can bring her own personality. Security is one of the biggest issues. I’m seeing encouraging signs that heated moments of the past are cooling down. I also believe Harry has asked King Charles to open the Invictus Games.”
Meghan often accompanies Harry to Invictus events
People reported that Meghan, 44, often accompanies her husband to support his games and has attended previous countdown events, including one-year-to-date celebrations in 2022.
Harry wants taxpayer-funded security to be increased for the family he lost after he left the royal throne.
Harry has been estranged from his family since he and Meghan stepped down as senior royals and moved to California in 2020, citing intense media interference and a lack of palace support as reasons for their split.
The couple aired their grievances in interviews, documentaries and Harry’s 2023 memoir “Spare,” further straining their relationship with the royal family.
