Safety has always been a cornerstone of why Meghan and Harry say they decided to leave. The Duchess of Sussex has cited negative press and the lack of royal support during her time as a working royal as reasons she contemplated suicide.

The couple “didn’t feel they had a choice,” says the friend. “The only option was to leave — for their sanity. I do think they thought if they got out of this bubble, there would be less focus on them.”

At the Sandringham Summit in January 2020, where their future as non-working royals was determined, Prince Harry left the meeting — attended by future King Charles, Prince William, Queen Elizabeth, and palace staff — with the assurance that their security would be maintained during their transition. Court documents later revealed that the Queen, who passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, had considered it “imperative” for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to have “effective security” after stepping down. However, just weeks later, Harry was informed that their police protection had been revoked.

“The Queen made it clear that effective security was necessary due to the threats against them, but somewhere along the line there was interference,” a royal insider claims.

The decision to downgrade their security was ultimately made by RAVEC, a committee that includes the Home Office (the U.K.’s equivalent of Homeland Security), the Metropolitan Police, and the Royal Household. While the King does not have direct involvement in RAVEC, his staff is part of the committee. A government spokesperson noted that they provide “rigorous and proportionate” security and do not disclose specifics “as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”

Harry, whose team highlights that the government’s threat assessment for the Sussexes has not been updated since 2019, believes his father is the main barrier to receiving adequate protection, although the palace disagrees with this viewpoint.

The decision from RAVEC could have significant consequences on a global scale. If the U.K. acknowledges the threat, other nations might adopt similar protective measures for the couple.

With no more financial assistance from the King and forced to pay for their own security, Harry and Meghan quickly turned to new revenue streams when they relocated to the U.S. in 2020. This included a profitable book deal for Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare and their 2022 Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan.

According to those close to them, a major reason for their move to California was the opportunity to hire armed private security in the U.S. This was driven by frequent online threats, concerns over home invasions, and worrying incidents, including a paparazzi chase in New York City in May 2023.

Joe Funk, senior vice president of Torchstone Global Security, which handles the couple’s private protection in the U.S., stated, “The U.K. government is aware of multiple threats against them, but we aren’t given specific details due to a lack of cooperation.”

Prince Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, is also concerned about public safety when he is out in public, as well as the safety of his staff.

“A former employee of their Archewell Foundation shared, ‘The staff is concerned when they travel with them.'”

According to a source familiar with the matter, Harry and Meghan’s decision to step away from royal duties shouldn’t impact the level of protection they receive: “‘Working royal or not, this is the King’s son.'”

Neil Basu, a former counterterrorism head for the Metropolitan Police, has previously discussed the serious threats Meghan faced in the U.K. He pointed out that both Harry and Meghan had some of the highest threat assessments within the royal family. Over the years, numerous individuals have been arrested and incarcerated for threatening the couple.

Basu told People, “Harry’s military service, his global recognition, and his marriage to a mixed-race woman all contribute to his high threat level.”

With both parties firmly holding their ground—and Prince William, 42, seemingly in alignment with his father—the possibility of reconciliation seems highly unlikely.

Some sources close to the palace believe that Harry’s memoir and his public interviews have eroded the family’s trust in him. On the other hand, those who support Harry argue that he wouldn’t have to resort to public statements to finance his security if he were properly protected. According to a friend, if the security issue is settled, “it’s ‘swords down.’”

The same friend adds that “nothing would bring [Harry] more joy than repairing his relationship with his father. In the end, blood ties can’t be undone. He’s not seeking a bigger house or better cars; his request comes from a genuine need—he’s in danger.”