Prince Harry’s attempt to reinstate his taxpayer-funded security in the UK may face challenges due to concerns about potential public backlash. The Duke of Sussex lost his automatic police protection in the UK when he and Meghan Markle left the country after stepping back as working members of the royal family.
Following a legal battle that he lost, Prince Harry wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to formally request a risk assessment from the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec). Reports indicated earlier this year that there were positive indications of his armed police protection being reinstated during his visits to the UK.
However, recent claims suggest a division within Ravec, with senior civil servants from various government offices hesitant to grant police protection, citing concerns about public reaction to taxpayers funding security costs. The final decision is pending, but sources mentioned apprehension within the committee regarding potential backlash.
During his previous court case, Prince Harry argued that the lack of security in the UK posed a significant risk, making it unsafe for him to bring Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, back to the country. Despite expressing confidence in the assessment outcome, uncertainties persist about the approval of his security measures.
In an interview post the Court of Appeal’s ruling last May, Prince Harry criticized the decision, labeling it as an “establishment stitch-up.” He expressed sadness about not being able to bring his family back to the UK due to security concerns, emphasizing the importance of public service and charitable work.
Presently, Prince Harry must inform the Metropolitan Police a month in advance of his UK visits for security assessments, which are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. His legal team has argued that this process jeopardizes his safety, citing instances of threats, including a recent incident with a stalker during his visit to the UK in September.
A Home Office spokesperson emphasized the government’s commitment to a robust security system while maintaining a policy of not disclosing specific security arrangements to protect individuals’ safety and the integrity of the security protocols.