The Prince and Princess of Wales took an 11-hour flight on a private jet, which was decked out with plush seating and a VIP area. The RAF Voyager is used by the UK Government, but it's made available to the Royal Family when they travel abroad in an official capacity.
While rich and famous people with notorious security concerns generally charter private planes for their cross-Atlantic travel (or just their 17-minute cross-part-of-California travel in some cases), Harry and Meghan reportedly booked seats on a commercial flight for the trip. You know, like full-on commoners.
Prince Harry was not assigned any Royal plane and had to spend £30,000 to book a private jet. As per reports, Prince Harry paid £30,000 to book a private jet to reach Balmoral, and he found out about Queen's death a few minutes before landing.
In the United States, Harry and Meghan are protected by bodyguards who are licensed to carry weapons. But traveling in Britain poses a particular challenge because their private security guards are not allowed to carry guns.
Today a London court decided that, if he chooses to visit the land of his birth, Harry can't have police protection, even if he were to pay for it out of pocket. Tax dollars fund security for the rest of the royal family, and in Britain, only police officers are licensed to carry guns.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's annual security bill could easily reach $2 to $3 million for around-the-clock protection, according to four security experts interviewed by Forbes.
The couple pays for private protection when they are in the U.S. or traveling, but their security guards can't carry guns in Britain and do not have access to U.K. intelligence.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lived in the US since stepping down as working royals, in 2020. Prince Harry and Meghan no longer receive money from the Royal Family and have a series of commercial arrangements with a number of companies.
The British government stopped providing security after Harry, the younger son of King Charles III, and his wife, the former actress Meghan Markle, quit their royal duties and moved to California in 2020. It then rejected his offer to pay for protection when he visits home.
The Sussexes taxpayer-funded protection was removed when they stepped back as senior royals and relocated to North America in early 2020. "I was stunned that my family would allow security to be taken away, especially at the most vulnerable point for us," Harry said in the GMA interview.
Prince Harry took a commercial American Airlines flight to arrive in the UK on Friday ahead of the coronation of King Charles III. Harry flew in from Los Angeles on American Airlines flight AA136, the Daily Mail reported. Passengers on the flight were surprised to see the British royal in their midst, the report added.
It's notable that the father of two will be flying commercial this time, rather than taking a private jet, as he faced criticism for using one after speaking at Global Citizen Live event in 2021, which advocated for climate change action.
Harry later qualified as an Apache helicopter commander in 2013 after three years of training. While on a five-month tour in Afghanistan, he served as a co-pilot gunner - sharing flying duties and taking control of the weapons of the two-man Apache.
The royal couple flew home from the UK on Tuesday following their mourning period, and one day after attending the late monarch's funeral service.
King Charles spends the most money on his travel by far, and the private jet that he prefers is truly fit for a king.
Being a keen flyer, Angelina has reportedly flown her family – including ex-husband Brad Pitt as well as all her kids Maddox, Shiloh, Pax, Zahara and twins Vivienne and Knox in her private jet. Happy Birthday, Angeline Jolie!
WHY IS HARRY TAKING ACTION? Harry is suing MGN to focus attention on alleged unlawful activities and not because of "some vendetta against the press", his lawyer has said. The MGN case is one of four that Harry is currently pursuing at the High Court against British newspapers.
Prince Harry's ongoing High Court battles over his UK police protection 'expected to cost taxpayers over £1million' The Duke of Sussex's High Court battle to hire police protection is expected to cost taxpayers more than £1million.
In total, he served seven and a half years of military service, beginning his time as an officer in the Blues and Royals Regiment before moving on to become a pilot, training at the Royal Air Force College. Once he qualified, the father of three become a full time pilot with the Search and Rescue Force.
After stepping down as working royals, Harry and Markle largely relied on Harry's inheritance from his late mother, Princess Diana, estimated at $10 million.
Every time the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set foot in the United Kingdom, taxpayers' money, both in that part of the world and in other latitudes, alarms are raised due to the expenses that may be excessive or even unnecessary.
Most of her personal estate will be inherited by her son, King Charles. Looks like Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, will probably receive nothing of value, Radar reported. Princess of Wales Kate Middleton is set to inherit $110 million worth of jewelry that Elizabeth II left behind, according to reports.
King Charles to likely pay for Prince Andrew's private security – after refusing to do so for Harry. The Duke of York's private security bill is likely to be funded by the King, despite the monarch's refusal to pay for Prince Harry's protection.
The Royalty Protection Group carry Glock 17 pistols
Scotland Yard's Royalty Protection Group (S014) officers are discreetly armed with a 9mm Glock 17 pistol, a radio, and a first aid kit.
Prince Harry wearing the green beret in 2019 (Picture: MOD). The Duke of Sussex has a close connection to the Armed Forces and the veteran community. Prince Harry served in the Army for 10 years, undertaking two tours of Afghanistan and rising to the rank of captain.