Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Prepare for UK Relocation Amid Legal Battles
Royal couple faces significant legal costs and security concerns as children enroll in British schools.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to relocate to Britain.
This relocation coincides with a High Court order for Prince Harry and six other high-profile figures to pay an initial £9.5 million to Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) in legal costs.
The group, including Sir Elton John and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, had sued ANL over allegations of unlawful information gathering; Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed all cases on 7 July after an 11-week trial in London.
Lawyers for the claimants had argued for an interim payment of just over £7.9 million, but Mr Justice Nicklin confirmed, "They are going to be paying a sum of money that I will confirm in the judgment."
The High Court held a two-day hearing over legal costs, where ANL stated its total costs exceeded £34 million; Mr Justice Nicklin's written judgment on the interim payment is expected at 2pm today.
Harry's security was stripped while he still resided in Britain after he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in January 2020.
The Sussexes have since relied on a private security team in the United States.
The Duke of Sussex has privately appealed to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, demanding answers about his security arrangements, despite his most recent comprehensive risk evaluation in April 2019 classifying him at the highest possible threat level.
The findings of the Ravec risk assessment have reportedly not been disclosed to the Duke of Sussex.
Theo Rycroft, deputy to the King's private secretary Sir Clive Alderton, is believed to have encouraged a gentler stance towards reconciliation with the Sussexes.
The annual summer gathering of senior royals at Balmoral has reportedly focused on the Sussexes' return.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have been enrolled in British schools; there will be no photographs of the children when they start school and on their birthdays.
The Sussexes are keeping their homes in Montecito, California, and Portugal, with the Duchess expected to continue running her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from their new base.