Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face ‘blackmail’ accusation over UK security demands

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face 'blackmail' accusation as their UK security arrangements remain under review

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced a “blackmail” accusation from royal biographer Angela Levin as their security arrangements remain under review following their return to the UK.

Speaking to TalkTV, Levin criticised the couple’s continued efforts to secure state-funded protection and suggested they could use their children and a potential departure from Britain as leverage.

“It’s blackmail, isn’t it? That’s what I think. It’s the two of them now, if you don’t give them exactly what they want, when they want,” Levin said.

She added, “They’re going here, ‘you can’t see the children’… And I think that it’s a blackmail thing.”

Harry and Meghan returned to the UK late last month, six years after stepping back from royal duties and losing taxpayer-funded security.

Their current arrangements are being reviewed by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC), while Meghan is also having her security assessed by her own Risk Management Board.

According to reports cited in the supplied material, the couple could return to their Montecito, California home if the security review does not produce the outcome they want.

A friend of Harry’s reportedly said, “If he doesn’t get [security], then I believe he will go back to Montecito for good, and that could be as soon as half-term.”

Security concerns have also reportedly affected the couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Their spokesperson said their move to another school followed discussions with the family’s security team about “the practicalities of their current arrangements”.

The couple have also reportedly questioned their decision to return to the UK amid tensions with other members of the royal family.

An unnamed source claimed Harry and Meghan now feel “unwelcomed” and have wondered whether returning was a “huge mistake”.