Prince Harry should be granted the same level of police protection as author Salman Rushdie or other high-profile figures, according to sources close to the Duke of Sussex. The claim comes ahead of Harry's upcoming trip to the UK next month, during which he will not receive police protection when away from the royal estate.
Legal Battle Over Security
Harry has been engaged in a protracted legal dispute with the Home Office concerning security arrangements for himself and his family when in the UK. His protection level was downgraded after he stepped down as a working royal in 2020. The duke has previously cited security concerns as a reason for not bringing his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children to the UK. However, reports indicate the Sussexes have received assurances that mitigate these worries.
Sources close to the prince emphasize that security decisions should be based on "risk, not role," as reported by the Sun. They argue that Harry faces unique threats similar to those of Salman Rushdie, who has been under police protection since a fatwa was issued against him by Iran's Ayatollah in 1989 for allegedly insulting Islam. Rushdie survived an assassination attempt in 2022, losing an eye in the attack.
Home Office and Royal Family Roles
The sources stressed that all security matters are determined by the Home Office, and King Charles III does not play a role in the process nor has made any private commitments. The trip will mark the first visit to the UK for Harry and Meghan's children, Archie and Lilibet, since the Queen's funeral in 2022. The family has accepted an offer to stay on the King's estate, but the specific royal residence has not been disclosed.
Harry's Spokesman Statement
Harry's spokesman issued a statement saying: "The issue has never been accommodation, it's whether appropriate and proportionate protective security is being provided throughout the entirety of the visit. The independent Risk Management Board that the (Royal and VIP Executive Committee) RAVEC itself decided was necessary last November has not taken place. It is therefore difficult to understand how the proportionality of the current arrangements can credibly be maintained without that independent assessment. The Duke continues to explore every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely."
Background of Royal Tensions
The trip follows Harry's meeting with King Charles last September, their first in 19 months, while the King continues cancer treatment. After losing a Court of Appeal challenge against the Home Office over his UK security arrangements last year, Harry gave a BBC interview expressing hope for reconciliation but revealing that Charles would not speak to him due to the security court battle. Harry added that he "can't see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK."
