Harry and Meghan's seeming use of Archie and Lilibet as bargaining chips in security row smacks of 'emotional blackmail', says RICHARD KAY as he muses on UK visit fast becoming a 'real mess'

Published: 18:20, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 00:31, 4 July 2026 On the latest episode of the Daily Mail's Palace Confidential, Editor-at-Large Richard Kay claims Harry and Meghan are now considering visiting the UK without their children, which he sees as 'a form of emotional blackmail' as the King desires time with Archie and Lilibet. The Sussexes are due to arrive in the UK in a matter of days, yet the trip remains up in the air after Harry, despite months of planning, suddenly voiced serious concerns over the security arrangements offered to him and his family. In a briefing from the Sussex camp last week, the Prince was said to be reconsidering the visit altogether, after RAVEC, the Home Office committee that rules on royal security, was reported to have declined to grant him the taxpayer-funded police protection he sought for the family's stay. This fresh row comes after Harry lost a Court of Appeal challenge in 2025 against the decision to downgrade his security after he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties, with judges ruling he had not been unfairly singled out for different treatment. Editor-at-Large Richard Kay claims Harry and Meghan are now considering visiting the UK without their children, which he sees as 'a form of emotional blackmail' Kay argued this is likely a negotiating tactic by the couple, trying to push King Charles to intervene on their behalf to secure time with his grandchildren Veteran royal reporter Kay told fellow panellist Rebecca English that the latest news he had heard about the trip was that Harry and Meghan planned to come, but would leave Archie and Lilibet in Montecito. He argued this is likely a negotiating tactic by the couple, trying to push King Charles to intervene on their behalf to secure time with his grandchildren. 'It does very much feel like there is a form of emotional blackmail going on,' Kay said. 'They know the King wants to see his grandchildren. He has barely seen them. 'The Sussexes want reconciliation with Charles, in the hope that it might lead to a broader reconciliation with other members of the family. Yet this kind of behaviour is doing its damnedest to make sure that doesn't happen. 'The latest I heard was that they will come, but we may not see the children. I think that would be a great shame. The public would certainly like to see a picture of the King with his grandchildren. It's a real mess.' Royal Editor English updated viewers on another twist in the security saga: a leaked document, commissioned privately by Harry and his security team in the US, which claimed the Prince faced around a dozen serious terror plots, several of them said to originate in Britain. The document was given to RAVEC in February, in the apparent hope it would persuade the committee to grant Harry the level of protection he wanted for the family's July trip. That it emerged just days before the Sussexes are due to arrive, English suggested, adds to a growing sense that Harry and Meghan are trying to 'manipulate the situation'. Harry and Meghan’s UK plans have sparked fresh debate over security, family and reconciliation. What’s your view? What's your view? English updated viewers on a twist in the security saga: a leaked document, commissioned privately by Harry and his security team, which claimed the Prince faced serious terror plots WATCH THE FULL EPISODE: Why the Palace are 'BAFFLED' by Prince Harry's UK trip English explained: 'Two organisations that have been quite positive in their coverage of Harry's situation have miraculously found themselves in possession of this security report. 'The fact that this has been leaked just days before Harry is due to arrive adds to this sense that this whole situation has been designed to manipulate the situation. I am not saying it has, I don't know. 'But why is he doing this now? He has known about his security situation for over a year, why did he go ahead with the planning? 'Why is he now creating a drama about it at the last minute, which is leading people to seriously question his motives.' Watch Richard Kay, Richard Eden and Rebecca English try to unpick the chaos of Harry and Meghan's upcoming trip to the UK by subscribing to Palace Confidential on YouTube. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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