The Home Office also declined to comment, but said such arrangements were taken by the executive committee for the protection of royalty and public figures and are based on a risk assessment rather than the individual’s willingness to pay for protection.
Understandably, Sussex flew first class to Heathrow on a commercial flight, accompanied by its own security staff. In the Netherlands, they have been granted VVIP status, with enhanced security by the Dutch government.
Some royal commentators have suggested that far from feeling exploited by the visit, the queen, who will turn 96 next Thursday, will be pleased with the visit of her grandson and wife.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, said: “This is a great opportunity to clear the air and offer an olive branch. After all that happened, it must have taken a long time for Harry and Megan to go to Windsor.
“Besides, Holy Thursday is a very special day for the Queen, because it is about forgiveness. She is not one of those people who insults, and I think she would be happy to welcome them with open arms.
A spokesman for the duke declined to discuss details of the visit, but said: “We can confirm that they have visited the duke’s grandmother, as we said earlier, which he hopes to do. They stopped in the United Kingdom on their way to The Hague to attend the Invictus Games. “
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