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A resurfaced secret letter unearths revelations surrounding The Royal family, including the late Queen Elizabeth’s approach to security. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s security has been disputed since their withdrawal from royal duties in 2020. The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC), a subsidiary of the Home Office, decided in 2020 to downgrade the Sussexes’ security following their withdrawal.
That year, the Duke of Sussex made his first case against the Home Office, legally challenging the decision to afford him a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection than other working royals in a court filing. However, the court threw out the case and denied him permission to appeal the ruling in a higher court. Four years later, an unearthed letter from the late Queen Elizabeth is giving the Duke a new fighting chance.
Why Queen Elizabeth Wanted Prince Harry to Enjoy Effective Security in the UK
In the letter, the Queen voiced her desire to have her grandson Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan Markle enjoy effective security even after their royal exit. The late Queen’s most senior aide Sir Edward Young shared this request with the Home Office committee. Penning the secret letter on behalf of the Palace, he made it clear Harry and Meghan’s safety was of “paramount importance” to Queen Elizabeth and The Royal Family.
The letter was addressed to former Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill; the senior aide explained the need to provide security for the pair. According to him, even after their royal exit, Harry and Meghan would be expected to attend several public engagements in the UK representing charities they champion. However, while these causes would not be in the monarch’s name, they would most certainly attract the same public attention — hence, the need to keep them safe regardless. Sir Edward wrote,
“You will understand well that ensuring that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain safe is of paramount importance to Her Majesty and her family. Given the Duke’s public profile by virtue of being born into the Royal family, his military service, the Duchess’s own independent profile, and the well-documented history of targeting of the Sussex family by extremists, it is imperative that the family continues to be provided with effective security.”
Prince Harry Can Appeal His Case Against Home Office
The secret letter detailing Queen Elizabeth’s wishes also cited the royal family’s “tragic incidents of the past,” which they remain mindful of. The letter first appeared in court documents presented last December per Telegraph. Its content indicating the Queen’s wishes seemingly had an impact on Prince Harry’s case against the government, as the court revoked the earlier dismissal. A court order dated May 23, 2024, confirms that the Duke of Sussex can now challenge the Home Office’s decision concerning his security at the Court of Appeal.
The existence of this letter stating Queen Elizabeth II’s wishes contradicts the narrative that the Royal Family axed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from certain safety privileges. The Duke’s latest visit to the UK in honor of the Invictus Games’ 10th anniversary on May 8 especially cast a shadow on the Duke’s fallout with his family and its implications. Prior to the visit, the issue of Harry’s security in the UK posed concerns for the royal, who reportedly considered making a virtual appearance. He wound up attending the event despite Ravec’s downgraded security.
Like his previous UK appearances, this went against the late monarch’s desire for her grandson to enjoy effective security like the rest of the royals. It is safe to say the Home Office’s decision to axe the Prince is a disservice not just to Harry but also to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
