Harry and Meghan's UK security arrangements 'a private matter', says Burnham

Politicians, charity organisations and the public have been reacting to the news that Prince Harry and his family are moving back to this country, as ITV News reports from across the UK and the United States.

Security arrangements for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their return to the UK are a "private matter", Andy Burnham has said.

The prime minister would not be drawn on how the royal couple's security would be funded and wished them "well in the moves they're making".

Harry and Meghan’s planned return to Britain came as a surprise to many on Wednesday night, while the King found out about the move just three days before it was made public.

Asked by reporters on a visit to West Yorkshire on Thursday whether the government would establish and fund the duke and duchess’s security, the prime minister said: "Well, this is a private matter.

"It’s a matter for Harry and for Meghan, and we wish them well in the moves that they’re making."

The couple moved to the US more than six years ago but will move back to the UK later this month, making their home in a non-royal residence outside of London, ITV News understands.

They have reportedly made school arrangements for their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship said the move to the UK was largely informed by Harry and Meghan's decision to give their children a better understanding and connection with the country in which their grandfather is the Monarch. ITV News understands that the King was the first to be told about the arrangement on Sunday.

Harry faced a legal battle against the Home Office regarding changes to his level of protection while in the UK after he stepped down as working senior royal in 2020.

The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) makes decisions on protective security for key public figures, including members of the royal family. The committee includes the Home Office, Metropolitan Police and Royal Household, who advise an independent chairperson.

The Duke of Sussex was the focus of six terrorist plots, five of which originated in the UK, according to a highly sensitive security report, seen by ITV News in July.

The King was said to welcome the opportunity to see more of his family in a private and personal capacity.

There has been no response from the Prince and Princess of Wales, with Kensington Palace yet to comment.

Meghan is expected to run her lifestyle brand As Ever from the UK, but it is not yet known whether she will begin undertaking charity visits as a non-working royal or embark on other ventures.An instant YouGov poll on the Sussexes return, suggests around a third of people are against them coming back, with only 21% in favour. But the biggest category - nearly half 45% - said they did not know.

This is the Talking Royals - our weekly podcast about the Royal Family, with ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship and Producer Lizzie Robinson.