Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is expected to undergo a separate United Kingdom security review after returning to Britain with Prince Harry and their two children.
The review is being arranged after the Sussex family moved back to the UK following several years living in California.
It will examine the risks facing Meghan in her new circumstances, but it does not automatically mean that she or her family will receive publicly funded police protection.
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Meghan Duchess Of Sussex: Meghan’s security arrangements will be reviewed
The review is expected to be handled through the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, commonly known as RAVEC.
RAVEC assesses security risks involving senior members of the Royal Family and other prominent public figures.
Its decisions can consider factors such as a person’s location, public role, travel patterns, known threats and the level of protection already available.
Meghan’s assessment is expected to take place separately from Prince Harry’s review, although the two matters are closely connected because the couple live together and have returned to Britain as a family.
The process follows the family’s move from the United States and the decision to establish a longer-term presence in the UK.
Officials are understood to be considering information that may not have been available during earlier assessments, when the Sussexes were primarily based in California.
What the review does and does not mean
A security review is not the same as a decision to restore the protection arrangements the couple had while they were working members of the Royal Family.
Harry and Meghan stepped back from official royal duties in 2020 and subsequently relocated to North America.
Their publicly funded protection in Britain was reduced after that change, while the couple arranged private security for many of their activities.
The review will determine whether the current circumstances justify changes to their protection.
Any decision would be based on risk assessment rather than on the couple’s titles alone.
That distinction is significant because King Charles III reaffirmed in September that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain non-working members of the Royal Family.
The Palace guidance described their position as similar to that of private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.
The couple retain their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but the styles His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.
Why the UK return changed the assessment
The family’s return has created a different security picture from the one considered when Harry and Meghan were occasional visitors to Britain.
A permanent or extended stay can involve regular travel, residential security, school arrangements and public appearances.
It also places the family closer to locations and institutions associated with the Royal Family, while increasing the possibility of public attention around their daily routines.
The couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are also part of the security considerations because their movements and schooling can affect the family’s overall risk profile.
Private security officers can provide protection, but their powers are more limited in Britain than those of police officers.
Private guards do not have the same access to intelligence information or the same legal authority as armed police protection.
That difference has been central to Harry’s long-running dispute with the UK government over his security arrangements.
He has argued that the family faces risks in Britain that cannot be addressed adequately through private protection alone.
What happens next
Meghan and Harry are expected to be invited to provide information they believe is relevant to the assessment.
That could include details about their movements, residence, public commitments and any threats or incidents they believe should be considered.
RAVEC’s review will then determine whether the existing arrangements remain appropriate or whether additional measures are justified.
The process may take place without a public announcement of the committee’s detailed findings.
Security assessments are generally confidential, and any changes could be implemented without publishing the intelligence or reasoning behind them.
The review also does not alter the couple’s constitutional position.
Meghan and Harry may undertake charitable and commercial work in Britain, but their activities remain private rather than official royal duties.
For Meghan, the assessment marks the first reported UK government-backed review of her personal security since the couple left the working Royal Family.
Its outcome could shape how freely the Sussexes travel and work in Britain, but it will not by itself signal a return to royal duties or a change in their status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Meghan receiving a UK security review?
The review follows the Sussex family’s return to Britain and is intended to assess whether their changed residency and circumstances create new security risks.
Will the review automatically restore police protection for Meghan?
No. The review examines the risks and available arrangements, but it does not guarantee publicly funded police protection.
What is RAVEC?
RAVEC is the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, which assesses security arrangements for prominent individuals in the UK.
Are Harry and Meghan working royals again?
No. King Charles III has reaffirmed that they remain non-working members of the Royal Family and carry out charitable and commercial activities privately.
Could the review include security for Archie and Lilibet?
The children’s circumstances can form part of the wider family risk assessment, although specific protection decisions are confidential.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against official Royal Family and Sussex office information, with the security-review development assessed against current reporting on the UK process.
Disclaimer: Security arrangements are subject to confidential risk assessments, so officials may not publicly disclose the review’s findings or any resulting changes.