Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Told To 'Shut Up' Over Security Concerns by Former Royal Protection Chief

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been told to 'shut up' about security concerns by former royal protection chief Dai Davies. His comments emerged on 21 September as separate official reviews of the Sussexes' protection arrangements were under way following their return to Britain.

Harry did not simply lose all taxpayer-funded police protection when he stepped back as a working royal in 2020. Instead, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, known as RAVEC, decided that he would no longer receive the same degree of publicly funded police protection automatically. Bespoke arrangements were introduced to reflect his changed status.

Harry later challenged the system through the courts, but the Court of Appeal dismissed his case in May 2025. His family's return to Britain has since prompted officials to reconsider their security circumstances.

Former Protection Chief Urges Sussexes to Keep Lower Profile

Davies, a former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent and head of Royal Protection, criticised the amount of information circulating publicly about the Sussexes' movements, schooling arrangements and security concerns.

According to The Blast, Davies made his comments during an interview with the Daily Telegraph Australia.

'Shut up, end of story, shut up,' Davies said. He added: 'If you want security, stay low key.'

Davies argued that security concerns should be handled through government officials and professional protection teams rather than discussed publicly.

He objected in particular to the amount of information reported about the family's routines, arguing that apparently harmless details could become more useful when combined.

'You are giving such basic fundamental clues to any potential attacker, it just beggars belief in my humble opinion,' Davies said.

His remarks represent his professional assessment rather than an official finding that Harry or Meghan have created a specific threat or increased the danger to themselves.

News organisations have also not publicly identified the Sussexes' precise home address or the school attended by Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Davies additionally criticised Meghan's decision to share footage from the family's new life in Britain. The video included countryside activities such as fishing, walking outdoors and the children playing in puddles.

He argued that visual details in such footage could reveal more about the family's surroundings than intended. However, there has been no official finding that the images disclosed the Sussexes' location or created a specific security threat.

The criticism comes as Harry has continued to argue that appropriate protection is necessary for him to bring Meghan and their children safely to Britain.

Harry and Meghan Face Fresh Security Assessments

The security debate gained further attention after Archie and Lilibet switched schools only two days into their first term at a British school.

A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said the decision followed discussions with the family's security team about 'the practicalities of their current arrangements.'

'The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family,' the spokesperson said.

The representative also stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as criticism of the school or the care provided to the children.

Reuters separately reported that the distance involved in the journey and heavy traffic had concerned the Sussexes' security team. Neither the former school nor the children's new school has been publicly identified.

Harry and Meghan are now subject to separate security assessments connected to RAVEC, the government committee responsible for decisions concerning protective security for members of the Royal Family and other public figures.

Harry underwent a new Risk Management Board assessment in July 2026. However, officials carrying out that review were reportedly unaware at the time that he intended to relocate his family to Britain.

Following the change in circumstances, RAVEC decided that Harry should undergo another full review.

Meghan is also due her own assessment, which would be her first since the couple stopped serving as working members of the Royal Family in 2020.

The reviews will examine the Sussexes' circumstances and determine what publicly funded protective arrangements, if any, are considered appropriate.

Harry has repeatedly raised concerns about bringing his family to Britain without sufficient security. His previous legal case focused on the process adopted after his status changed rather than an entitlement to receive automatically the same protection, he had as a full-time working royal.

Charles Spencer, Earl Spencer, has expressed a different view from Davies on the question of protection.

Diana's brother said he would 'veer towards protection' for Harry and Meghan when discussing the issue with the BBC. Spencer said his position was influenced by losing his sister in circumstances he described as 'very, very preventable.'

That description represents Spencer's personal assessment of Diana's death rather than an official finding connected to the Sussexes' current security arrangements.

Davies's comments and Spencer's contrasting position underline the continuing debate surrounding the family's protection. The formal decision, however, will rest with the authorities now conducting fresh assessments of Harry and Meghan's circumstances.