Prince Harry's security concerns overshadow friend's wedding
Although Prince Harry was in the United Kingdom, he did not attend a close friend's wedding. The reason for his absence remained unclear for some time. Finally, the real reason was revealed.
Prince Harry, who recently returned to the United Kingdom for the first time in over six months, unexpectedly missed the wedding of his close friend, Charles Vivian.
The ceremony took place in London, where Lord Vivian married Saweda Kamara. In an interview with the Daily Mail, the groom said he was unaware of the reasons behind the prince's absence. "I don't know. He has a lot on," he said.
Reason for absence revealed
Speculation about the prince's absence quickly grew, but the primary reason was clarified by a source close to Harry.
The main issue was that security was not provided during the visit, making it very difficult to participate in events or move around the United Kingdom, reported journalist Richard Eden.
Security has long been a pressing concern for the prince, who currently resides in California and is campaigning for the right to use publicly funded protection when visiting his homeland.
Prince Harry fights for his security in court
The Duke of Sussex returned to the United Kingdom to attend a court hearing regarding an appeal against the Home Office's decision to withdraw taxpayer-funded security.
Harry has repeatedly stressed the importance of protection, particularly when it comes to bringing his wife Meghan Markle and their children to the country.
Without suitable security, I cannot safely bring my family to the United Kingdom, the prince was previously reported to have said.
Strained relations with the homeland
Since stepping down from his duties as a member of the royal family in 2020, Harry's relationship with the United Kingdom has been strained. His absence from the wedding of a close friend only fuelled speculation about the distance that separates him from not only the royal family but also social life in his homeland.
This is particularly notable as many guests anticipated Harry's presence at the wedding, which could have served as a symbolic gesture of mending relations with former friends.
