Prince Harry reportedly has his heart set on finding a base in the UK for his family – but one major ongoing issue means he has paused his house hunt for the time being
Prince Harry is said to have put his search for a UK base on hold for the time being because of one major issue, according to reports.
Harry was said to be looking at properties in England which could serve as a home for his family when they travel back across the pond, rather than staying in hotels as he has been doing. But the hunt has been temporarily called off over increasing concerns about security. “Harry really does want to spend more time in the UK but doesn’t feel comfortable doing that until the security issues have been ironed out,” a source told the Express .
“He and Meghan planned on looking for a part-time home near Windsor this year and hoped that the appeals process would be heard before the end of July so that they could properly start their search. However, the court process seems to be taking its time.” Harry and Meghan were evicted from Frogmore Cottage in 2022, meaning they no longer have a residence in the UK. The couple were gifted the home’s lease by the late Queen as a wedding present in 2018. But, after stepping down as senior working members of the family and moving to California just two years later, the pair were asked to hand over the keys by King Charles.
Prince Harry first took legal action against the Home Office in 2020. He, along with other senior royals, had received full publicly-funded security protection provided by the state before he stepped back from his royal duties and moved to California with his American wife Meghan in March 2020.
The Home Office – the ministry responsible for policing – decided in February 2020 that, as a result of his royal exit, he would cease to automatically receive personal police security while in Britain – something he had appealed. But, the High Court ruled that the decision was lawful and dismissed Harry’s case.
Then, in June, the Court of Appeal said it would hear his challenge over his police protection following a direct application from Harry’s lawyers. The Prince had reportedly requested to speed up his appeal in hopes of having it heard by the end of July. But a judge denied him permission to “jump the queue,” declining any special treatment.
Last year, Harry told the court in a written statement read out by his lawyers: “The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children. That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too,” he added.
In April this year, Harry raised eyebrows when he cut ties with Britain, listing the US as his primary country of residence, according to official documents. He also appears to have backdated his official American residency to the day he was kicked out of Frogmore Cottage, in an apparent swipe at his father, King Charles, and brother William. The change of address was filed for his eco firm Travalyst; the date of change listed was June 29 last year, the date he was asked by the King to return the keys to his Windsor home.
