The duke is said to have expected his security request to be granted
Prince Harry's security was "a considerable upping of what was there previously", a source has claimed.
The chaotic start to Harry's trip to the UK last week was largely down to confusion regarding security.
After announcing he would be joined by Meghan, Archie and Lilibet on his visit, the duke was quickly forced to reconsider whether they would come at all after his application for a security package had been denied by the Home Office and the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec).
According to the Daily Mail, Harry was under the impression his wish for his own private security to receive intelligence from the security services would be granted – the "upset" prince quickly backtracked when it was flatly rejected.
The Duke of Sussex's private security company then produced a highly sensitive document, claiming he faces six terrorist plots against him, with five originating within the United Kingdom.
Despite this, after Buckingham Palace announced that a reunion between the King and the Sussexes had occurred, a friend of the prince told the newspaper that security was actually "improved" for his return to Britain this time.
"He would have liked full security from the start but that was not on the table," they said.
"But what was on the table was a considerable upping of what was there previously.
"For that reason the visit was very much better and everything is in a better place.
"It is still baby steps, but there is reason to hope going forward."
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In another boost for the duke's security hopes, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News nothing is set in stone and indicated that the predicament could be subject to change.
"The security situation could change," he explained. "There are threats; he has a stalker, we know.
"The security issues are very much at the forefront of the moment. The situation is unsatisfactorily unresolved."
He added: "I think people thought, and I thought, that he'd get it.
"He hasn't, and so far still hasn't, but that doesn't mean he won't in the future at some time because security is very much in the news at the moment, so it might happen."
Nevertheless, the situation remains unresolved, but Harry may feel buoyed by the potential improvements in security and hope for a more positive result ahead of his next trip, in September.
Whether Archie and Lilibet will join him on that particular trip – he is expected to return for WellChild commitments – is unknown, but security will undeniably play a huge role in any decision he takes moving forward.
