Alex Rayner questions why the Duke of Sussex faces tougher scrutiny than other royals despite his military service
A friend of the Royal Family has spoken out in defence of the Duke of Sussex, criticising what he describes as unfair treatment of the former senior royal.
Writer Alex Rayner recently shared his views with the Daily Mail, arguing that Harry’s years of military service should not be overlooked when debates about his security arrangements arise.
According to Rayner, the criticism surrounding the Duke feels misplaced considering his record in the armed forces. “Harry is a royal who has significantly served in the Armed Forces,” he said, adding that the suggestion he should personally pay for his security seems “a tiny bit spiteful,” particularly when other royals who carry out fewer duties continue to receive protection.
Harry’s security situation changed after he and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved abroad. Because he is no longer considered a senior working royal, he is no longer automatically entitled to taxpayer-funded security in the UK.
The couple’s move from royal life happened quickly. They initially relocated to Vancouver Island in Canada before eventually settling in Santa Barbara, California, after spending time at Tyler Perry’s home during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before leaving royal duties, Harry and Meghan’s final official appearances included the Endeavour Fund Awards and the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
A year later, the 12-month review period agreed with the Royal Family concluded, confirming that the Sussexes would not return as working royals. As a result, Harry lost his honorary military titles and royal patronages.
Following their departure, the couple began a new chapter that included high-profile interviews with Oprah Winfrey, CBS’s 60 Minutes, and the BBC. They also released the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan after signing media deals with Netflix and Spotify.
While their Netflix partnership continues in a reduced form, the Spotify deal ended after only a short period. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek later criticised the couple, calling them “grafters”.
In early 2023, Harry released his memoir Spare, which detailed personal moments from his royal life, including the Sandringham summit and tensions within the family.
Amid these developments, Harry and Meghan also welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, in 2021. Earlier that year, Meghan revealed she had suffered a miscarriage, writing about the experience in a personal essay for The New York Times titled The Losses We Share.
Since stepping back from royal duties, Meghan has only returned to the UK a few times, including for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 and later for the late monarch’s funeral.
More recently, attention has turned to the future of Harry’s relationship with the Royal Family. Reports suggest communication between the Duke and his father has resumed in limited form, including a brief meeting at Windsor Castle.
Although tensions within the family remain, some observers believe the Sussexes are gradually trying to repair their public image while continuing their work outside royal life.
