The security arrangements for the Duke of Sussex during his visits to the UK are currently under review, as confirmed by sources to the BBC. This review comes in the wake of a legal ruling in May, in which Prince Harry was denied the reinstatement of police protection while in the country. In a subsequent interview with the BBC, the Duke expressed deep concerns about the safety of his family, stating that he could not guarantee their security during visits to his birthplace.
The investigation is being led by the Home Office, which will assess whether Prince Harry should be granted full police protection during visits despite no longer serving as a working member of the royal family. Sources close to the Duke indicate that this re-evaluation of his security needs is overdue. The Sun reported that the process to reassess the threat level facing the Duke is already underway, with a decision anticipated next month.
King Charles has met his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, only once, during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Since Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to the United States with the Duchess of Sussex, his security provisions were downgraded.
In this year’s legal challenge, Prince Harry contested the decision made by a committee known as the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which is responsible for authorizing security for senior royals on behalf of the Home Office. Ravec determined that his security needs would be assessed on a case-by-case basis, citing that he would be an infrequent visitor to the UK. The Duke’s legal team argued that this process lacked a proper reassessment of the threats he faced since 2020.
His lawyers maintained that he had faced “inferior treatment” compared to other royals, but the court upheld Ravec’s ruling, stating that the decision-making process was not unlawful. A senior judge indicated that the Duke’s feelings of grievance over the security alterations did not provide grounds for a successful appeal.
Following the ruling, Prince Harry expressed his devastation and characterized the likelihood of returning to the UK with his family as “impossible.” He articulated that it was inconceivable for him to bring his wife and children back at that time.
In response to the situation, Buckingham Palace reiterated that security matters have been thoroughly examined by the courts repeatedly, reaching the same conclusions each time. A government spokesperson emphasized that the UK’s protective security system is robust and proportional, but maintained a policy of not divulging detailed information regarding security arrangements, as doing so could jeopardize their efficacy and affect individuals’ safety.
