The King is reportedly concerned about his grandchildren as Harry’s protection dispute creates fresh tension
King Charles, who reportedly welcomed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to return to Britain, faces a difficult dilemma over their family’s security.
Alongside his responsibilities as monarch, Charles is a grandfather hoping to build a closer relationship with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, particularly since his cancer diagnosis in 2024.
That hope has reportedly helped him keep an open mind about the couple’s return. But just as relations appeared to be improving, Harry’s ongoing battle over police protection has created another complication.
Although Archie and Lilibet are not the children of working royals, they remain the King’s grandchildren and are in the line of succession.
A source speaking to The Telegraph described the delicate position Charles finds himself in.
“Obviously, the King is in an impossible position,” they said. “He cannot intervene, or be seen to apply pressure, in a way that could be construed as constitutionally overstepping.”
The source suggested that those limits do not lessen his concern for Harry and his family.
“But one would imagine he is as concerned as anyone that his son – and, in particular, his grandchildren – are not receiving any form of police protection despite being fifth, sixth and seventh in line to the throne. The situation is untenable.”
For Charles, the dispute puts his responsibilities as King alongside his personal concerns as a father and grandfather, with no straightforward way to resolve the situation.
Harry continues to hope that taxpayer-funded security will be reinstated, although the report suggests that the process remains stalled with RAVEC.
