Prince Harry is expected to regain armed police protection during visits to the UK, signalling a change in how his security has been handled since he stepped back from royal duties in 2020.

Following his departure from the role of a senior working royal, the Duke of Sussex lost automatic state-provided armed police protection while in the UK. His security arrangements were instead placed under a case-by-case system overseen by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec. Under UK law, privately hired security personnel are not permitted to carry firearms, a restriction Harry has long argued exposes him to unnecessary risk when visiting the country.

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The duke pursued legal action against the Home Office, maintaining that the removal of armed police protection left him vulnerable and made it unsafe for his wife and children to accompany him to Britain. In May 2025, he lost a key appeal at the High Court, with the ruling confirming that the government had acted within the law when it altered his security status based on his changed role.

That position has since been reassessed. A recent security review conducted by Ravec, involving the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police and royal security officials, is understood to have concluded that Prince Harry now meets the threshold required for armed police protection during UK visits. Individuals briefed on the review say reinstatement is expected, pending final administrative steps, though no formal announcement has been made.

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The renewed assessment followed increased concern about Harry’s personal safety, including incidents involving persistent individuals gaining proximity to him despite existing security measures. While specific details remain confidential, the Home Office has reiterated that protection arrangements are kept under continuous review and adjusted in response to changing threat levels.

The decision affects more than Harry alone. He has previously stated that the absence of armed police protection has been the main reason his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have rarely visited the UK. Both children live in the United States and have only travelled to Britain once, during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

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With enhanced protection now likely, the prospect of family visits becomes more practical, potentially allowing for renewed contact between the Sussex children and King Charles. No visit has been confirmed, but the expected security changes remove one of the most significant obstacles cited by the duke since his relocation abroad.

For the government, the move reflects an approach driven by risk assessment rather than royal status. For Prince Harry, it brings an end to years of uncertainty surrounding his safety arrangements and provides a clearer framework for future trips to the UK.

If approved as anticipated, his visits would no longer rely on temporary or adhoc measures but instead operate under a formalised security arrangement, closing a dispute that has shaped his relationship with Britain since 2020.

On Christmas Day 2025, the Princess of Wales departed from her usual festive colours, choosing rich brown tones for the annual royal Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
She attended the service with Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, wearing a brown plaid coat by Blazé Milano. The coat was previously worn earlier in the year, including during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in January.

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The coat was paired with a chocolate-brown hat and a silk patterned scarf in complementary shades, creating a cohesive and sophisticated look appropriate for the occasion.
Accessories included Cartier Trinity hoop earrings, a favourite in her jewellery rotation, and boots that matched the tone of the outfit.

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Princess Charlotte’s outfit coordinated with her mother’s, featuring a camel-coloured coat accented in brown, reinforcing the harmonious family appearance.
Historically, the Princess of Wales has favoured traditional holiday colours such as greens, reds, or jewel tones for Christmas services. Last year, she wore forest green, and in previous years, she chose cobalt blue or maroon.
This year’s brown choice reflects a broader interest in earthy tones and demonstrates her ability to make contemporary fashion choices while respecting tradition. She is known for re-wearing meaningful pieces and adapting them for different events with care and thoughtfulness.

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The Blazé Milano coat carries additional significance, as it was previously worn during a public engagement following the Princess’s cancer remission earlier in 2025. Reusing a piece with personal meaning adds an extra dimension to the ensemble.
Despite a challenging year for the royal family, including ongoing health matters for King Charles and wider institutional pressures, the Christmas Day service remained a symbol of continuity and family presence. Her outfit complemented the event, making a refined, intentional statement about combining modern style with long-standing tradition.

The British Royal Family’s Christmas cards have long functioned as controlled public statements rather than informal holiday greetings. From their earliest appearances in the early twentieth century, the cards have reflected how the monarchy responds to public expectation, national mood, and shifts in media culture. What appears simple on the surface is, in practice, carefully managed communication.
The tradition emerged during the First World War. In 1914, Princess Mary included a Christmas card in tins sent to British soldiers serving overseas. The image was formal, and the message restrained. It was not designed for sentimentality but for reassurance. During the Second World War, the practice continued when Princess Elizabeth, years before her accession, sent Christmas cards to the Grenadier Guards. Photographs from that period frequently showed her in uniform, reinforcing duty and national service rather than family life.

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After the war, the emphasis changed. As Britain moved into a period of rebuilding, royal Christmas cards increasingly featured family imagery. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip used photographs of their children to communicate continuity at a time when the monarchy was redefining its place in a changing society. These images were neither spontaneous nor intimate. They were staged, selected months in advance, and intended to project order and stability.
By the late twentieth century, particularly during the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the visual language of the cards shifted again. Images of Princes William and Harry appeared less formal and more domestic in tone. Outdoor settings and relaxed poses suggested a softer image of royal life. This change coincided with increased media scrutiny and a public appetite for accessibility. The cards responded to that pressure while maintaining tight control over presentation.
One consistent feature across decades is the absence of traditional winter imagery. Snow, fireplaces, and overt seasonal symbolism are largely avoided. The photographs are typically taken in neutral or warm-weather settings, allowing the image to remain usable beyond the holiday period and preventing associations with hardship or austerity. The timing of professional photo sessions also plays a role, reinforcing practicality over seasonal accuracy.

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In her later years, Queen Elizabeth II maintained a steady approach. Her Christmas cards often used photographs taken at royal residences, sometimes captured by family members. Exhibitions of these cards later revealed how little the formula changed over time. The consistency was deliberate. Variation risked distraction, while repetition reinforced familiarity and permanence.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have continued this approach with subtle adjustments. Their cards usually feature coordinated but understated family portraits with their three children. The tone suggests ease without relinquishing control. Every element, from clothing to setting, contributes to a message of reliability and continuity rather than spontaneity.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have adopted a different model. Their recent Christmas greetings have often been digital and message-led, incorporating images tied to public engagements or charitable work rather than a single posed family portrait. The focus shifts from tradition to narrative, using the card as a platform for outlining priorities and values rather than reinforcing established royal imagery.
Taken together, royal Christmas cards form an informal visual archive of the monarchy’s evolving relationship with the public. They document how the institution adapts to social change while maintaining authority. Far from being decorative seasonal gestures, the cards reveal a long-standing effort to manage visibility, project reassurance, and signal continuity at the close of each year.