Former head of royal protection Dai Davies has launched a blistering attack on Prince Harry, telling the Duke to "engage brain before opening mouth" over his long-running demands for taxpayer-funded security during UK visits.
Davies Questions Harry's Security Claims
Speaking on the Royals Uncensored podcast, Davies criticised Harry's assertion that his family cannot safely visit Britain without round-the-clock police protection. The criticism follows a private visit by Harry, Meghan Markle and their children to see King Charles at Highgrove and later Althorp, which went unnoticed by the public and press.
"If they came quietly, they could have come in quickly, succinctly, and you and I wouldn't have known they were there," Davies said. He then delivered a blunt warning: "I often say engage brain before opening mouth."
Harry's Security Demands Dismissed as 'Ego Trip'
The former Metropolitan Police officer, who oversaw royal protection between 1994 and 1998, accused Harry of having "taken the biscuit" with his public statements. Harry has repeatedly argued that the removal of his automatic UK police protection prevents him from bringing his family to Britain, insisting they need armed security at all times.
Davies dismissed these demands as "purely... an ego trip," expressing full confidence in the UK's protective security system. He noted that armed intervention by royal protection officers is extremely rare, citing only the 1974 attempted kidnapping of Princess Anne as a recent example where an officer drew a firearm.
Confidence in UK Security System
Davies also referenced an attack on Queen Camilla's car before she became queen, where officers did not draw their weapons despite the seriousness of the situation. He argued that Harry would receive additional protection whenever intelligence indicated a credible threat.
"If there was an iota of intelligence or information... that he was under more risk... then he would get it. Of course he would," Davies said.
Harry's Legal Challenge
Harry has previously challenged the UK government's decision to reduce his publicly funded security after stepping down as a working royal in 2020, arguing the current arrangements leave his family vulnerable during visits to Britain. The recent private visit, however, appears to undermine that argument, according to Davies.
