UK’s borders remain open; they weren’t closed to keep out Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have been asked to leave their home that’s on the grounds of Windsor Castle west of London, The Associated Press reported. But claims the United Kingdom shuttered its borders to prevent the couple from traveling there are baseless.

"UK Parliament Closed Its Borders Prevent Haz, Meg From Flying To The UK," a March 4 Facebook post said. A narrator in a video included in the post went on to claim that the borders were closed to "protect the king" and that "Megan has recently faced serious accusations about plotting to destroy the coronation of King Charles and overthrow the monarchy." 

"That’s why all the members of Parliament suggested closing the borders," the narrator said.

This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

The United Kingdom’s Home Office, the lead government agency charged with securing the border, would not comment on the claim, but there is no evidence to support it. 

Closing the U.K. — which includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — to any visitors would be a big international news event that would draw global media attention. But there are no news reports to corroborate the post’s claims. 

Featured Fact-check

Instagram posts

stated on November 12, 2024 in an Instagram post

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are “part of the World Economic Forum.”

The video’s narrator claimed that all 650 members of Parliament suggested closing the U.K.’s borders, and unanimous agreement on such a momentous decision would also likely make news. There’s none.

And finally, flights have continued to arrive at London Heathrow Airport.

We rate this claim Pants on Fire!