The King and Queen attended church following a new report that the British government will reinstate Harry’s security

Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital, covering modern monarchies and the world’s most famous families. Like Queen Elizabeth, she loves horses and a great tiara moment.

(Left) King Charles in Sandringham, Norfolk on Jan. 4, 2026; (Right) Prince Harry in London on Sept. 8, 2025.Credit : Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage

King Charles and Queen Camilla stepped out for the first time in 2026 after a new report claimed that Prince Harry’s official security in the U.K. will likely be reinstated.

On Jan. 4, the King, 77, and Queen, 78, attended a Sunday morning service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.

King Charles stopped to acknowledge several well-wishers on the way to the Sandringham Estate, which recently drew crowds when the wider royal family attended church together on Christmas Day.

The King and Queen headed to church the day after The Mail on Sunday reported that a new review determined that King Charles’ younger son meets the criteria to receive armed full-time security protection when he visits the U.K.

King Charles and Queen Camilla at St. Mary Magdalene in Sandringham on Jan. 4, 2026.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

The protection is one that the Duke of Sussex, 41, has long sought, and it could theoretically pave the way for his children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, to visit his home country in the future.

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, lost their state-funded security in the U.K. after stepping back from their royal roles there in 2020 and moving to California, where they have resided since. Harry’s lawyers have since argued that he “does not feel safe” bringing his children to the U.K. without taxpayer-funded police protection and the deep level of security intelligence that comes with it.

King Charles in Sandringham on Jan. 4, 2026.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

On Jan. 3, sources close to the Sussexes told The Mail on Sunday that a committee found that the criteria for the leading security had been met.

A source was quoted as saying, “It’s now a formality. Sources at the Home Office have indicated that security is nailed on for Harry.”

The Mail on Sunday reported that the ruling in Harry’s favor is “expected to be announced within weeks,” in a decision that would be a game-changer for his California family.

Prince Harry, Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet and Meghan Markle in their 2025 holiday card.Meghan, Duchess of Sussex/Instagram

Prince Harry has long campaigned for his official security in the U.K. to be restored, including a high-profile court battle, which he lost in February 2024 and had an appeal dismissed in May 2025.

However, in December, a full-scale review by the official body that determines how royals and other VIPs are protected was granted, marking a U-turn from the government. In October, it emerged that a female stalker came close to Harry twice when he visited the U.K. in September 2025 for charitable engagements.

Insiders tell PEOPLE there are “positive” noises from the government regarding a reversal of the decision not to grant the Duke of Sussex the security he seeks, and they are cautiously hopeful that the decision to upgrade his cover will proceed.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during Game Four of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.Joe Scarnici/MLB Photos via Getty

Prince Harry’s spokesman declined to comment, saying they don’t discuss security matters.

In a statement, a government spokesperson emphasized the same.

“The U.K. Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security,” they said.