A discussion about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to Britain quickly turned into a heated debate on Good Morning Britain, with presenter Susanna Reid challenging her co-star’s views on the couple’s security concerns.

During Tuesday’s episode, September 1, Susanna Reid and Ed Balls were joined by Kevin Maguire and Kwasi Kwarteng as the panel discussed Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet.

The couple have spent the past six years living in California after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. They returned to Britain last week and are reportedly expected to stay in the Cotswolds, where Archie and Lilibet are understood to be starting at UK schools this month.

Their return follows a private meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla in July. At the same time, questions surrounding the couple’s security arrangements have resurfaced.

Meghan reportedly worried about the school run

According to reports, Harry and Meghan have spent much of their time at their accommodation since arriving in Britain.

Meghan has reportedly been concerned about taking Archie and Lilibet to and from school while the family’s security arrangements remain unsettled.

A friend was quoted as describing their situation as a “gilded cage without protective security”, adding that the school run was a particularly difficult issue for the family.

That claim became the focus of the Good Morning Britain debate.

Susanna Reid challenges her co-star

Kevin Maguire questioned why Harry and Meghan would feel unsafe while staying in what he described as an affluent part of the Cotswolds.

He also suggested that the couple were being “incredibly entitled” over the issue.

Susanna strongly disagreed.

“Sorry, come on,” she said, arguing that Meghan’s concerns would not necessarily be about people living nearby. She pointed out that someone who poses a security threat could potentially pose that threat regardless of where the family was staying.

Susanna went on to argue that concerns over personal safety were not simply a matter of choosing between different parts of the country.

Kevin, however, maintained his position.

Kevin Maguire gives a different perspective

Kevin said he was more concerned about people living in Middlesbrough facing threats than Harry and Meghan staying in the Cotswolds.

He argued that if additional money were available for private security, he would rather see it spent in Middlesbrough than protecting a wealthy couple living in a large house in the Cotswolds.

The disagreement quickly caught the attention of viewers watching at home.

Viewers divided over Harry and Meghan debate

Several Good Morning Britain viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their frustration with the discussion.

One viewer argued that Meghan had chosen to return to Britain and should have remained in the United States if she did not feel safe.

Another accused the programme of repeatedly targeting Harry and Meghan, while a third said they had no interest in the couple and believed they should pay for their own security.

The reaction showed just how divisive the Sussexes’ security arrangements remain, particularly as their return to Britain brings renewed attention to the question of how they should be protected while living and travelling in the country.

Ed Balls also grabs attention with new look

The royal discussion was not the only moment to attract attention during Tuesday’s programme.

Ed Balls appeared with a new goatee, prompting a reaction from Susanna Reid, who joked that the facial hair had made him look “10 years” younger.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am.