.svg)
In a revelation that sheds new light on the relationship between the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, an unearthed letter shows the monarch insisted on "effective security" for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they stepped down from royal duties in 2020. The letter, a key piece of evidence in a recent libel case, contradicts the narrative of a complete break from the royal family and underscores the Queen's deep concern for their safety.
The correspondence, written by the Queen's private secretary Sir Edward Young to Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill, followed the historic Sandringham Summit in January 2020, where the family met to discuss Harry and Meghan’s future. The letter explicitly states that "ensuring that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain safe is of paramount importance to Her Majesty and her family." It further emphasized the need for continued security, citing Harry's public profile, military service, and "the duchess's own independent profile," along with "the well-documented history of targeting of the Sussex family by extremists." This mention of Meghan's "independent profile" refers to her successful career as an actress and humanitarian before she married Harry, including her starring role in the TV show Suits and her lifestyle blog, The Tig.
While the letter acknowledged that the final decision on security rested with the independent body RAVEC (Royal and VIP Executive Committee), it left no doubt about the Queen’s strong feelings on the matter. It also, according to court documents, made a subtle, but clear, nod to the "tragic incidents of the past," widely seen as a reference to the death of Princess Diana.
The letter was disclosed during a 2022 libel case brought by Prince Harry against Associated Newspapers Limited, concerning an article that discussed his legal challenge against the Home Office over his security arrangements. This legal battle has been a long and difficult one for the Duke. In 2020, he initiated a legal challenge after the Home Office decided to reduce his taxpayer-funded police protection. His argument was that his security should not be downgraded simply because he was no longer a "working royal."
Harry's struggle for security was highlighted again in May 2025, when the Court of Appeal upheld a previous ruling, siding with the government's decision to assess his security on a case-by-case basis. While the judge, Sir Geoffrey Vos, acknowledged Harry's arguments were "powerful," he ultimately found there was no legal basis for a challenge. Following the ruling, a Home Office spokesperson said they were "pleased that the court has found in favour of the government's position."
The issue of security has been a major point of contention for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Harry has publicly stated that security concerns were the primary reason his wife and children have not returned to the UK since 2022. The couple, who now reside in Montecito, California, have had to rely on privately funded security since leaving the UK.
