Following their decision to step down from senior royal duties, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship with Queen Elizabeth was believed to have become strained.
However, newly uncovered court documents suggest the late monarch may have been more supportive than previously thought—especially when it came to their concerns about personal security.
A Surprising Revelation from Court Documents
In a recent libel case brought by Prince Harry against a major news publisher, a letter from Queen Elizabeth’s private secretary, Sir Edward Young, was revealed. As reported by The Mirror, the letter expressed the Queen’s strong concern for the Sussexes’ safety.
“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,” the letter stated. It continued, “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.”
The letter made it clear that even though Harry and Meghan had left their royal roles, the Queen still deeply cared about their well-being.
While Queen Elizabeth backed their request, the letter also acknowledged that the final call on their security would be made by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC). Currently, Harry is only granted taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK on a case-by-case basis—only if RAVEC considers it necessary during any visit.
Harry’s Legal Battle Over Security
In February 2024, Harry lost his legal battle with the UK government over the removal of his publicly funded security. Speaking candidly in the ITV1 documentary Tabloids On Trial, he opened up about why he avoids returning to the UK with his family.
“Whether it’s a knife or acid, these are things that are genuine concerns for me,” he told ITVX. “It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”
He also admitted that his legal challenges have driven a wedge between him and members of the royal family. “I have made it very clear that this is something that needs to be done; it would be nice if we did it as a family,” he said.
Concerns About Public Safety
Former royal butler Grant Harrold echoed Harry’s concerns in a separate interview with The Mirror. “I think Harry’s biggest concern about returning is anyone trying to attack him or his family because there is a love-hate relationship between him and the British public,” Harrold explained.
The Prince has since appealed the court’s decision, and the case is scheduled to be heard in London on April 8–9, 2025.