British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to comment on security arrangements for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, calling the issue a private matter as the couple prepare to move back to the United Kingdom.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to West Yorkshire in northern England on Thursday, Burnham was asked who would fund protection for the royal couple upon their return.
Burnham said the situation was a private matter that concerned Harry and Meghan directly, adding that he wished them the best in the steps they were taking.
The couple's planned return was first revealed on Wednesday night by several British media outlets, causing surprise across the United Kingdom. Prince Harry and Meghan chose to step back from official duties within the Royal Family in early 2020, moving to California to become financially independent.
Prince Harry is the younger son of King Charles III, and Meghan Markle is an American former actress who married into the British royal family in 2018. Upon their wedding, Queen Elizabeth II created them the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Relocation and legal disputes
According to media reports, the Duke and Duchess will arrive in the United Kingdom at the end of August. The family plans to establish a residence located on the outskirts of London that does not belong to royalty. Their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have already been enrolled in a school.
Prince Harry has maintained a prolonged legal battle with the Home Office regarding security measures for himself and his family during their stays in the United Kingdom. The Home Office is the ministerial department of the British government responsible for domestic security, law enforcement, and immigration affairs.
The ongoing legal dispute arose after authorities modified Harry's protection level following his decision to stop performing official duties as a working member of the royal family in 2020.
