Prince Harry's spokesperson has issued a fiery statement in response to numerous reports about the duke's security when he returns to the UK next week for the Invictus Games Birmingham one-year-to-go events.
Statement on Security and Accommodation
In response to questions about what security arrangements are in place and whether they will stay at a royal residence, which the King has offered them during their visit, a spokesman for the Duke of Sussex said: “Prince Harry’s programme in the United Kingdom includes both public and private engagements across the country. Safe accommodation is only one element of an effective protective security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.
“The issue has never been accommodation. The issue is whether appropriate and proportionate protective security is being provided throughout the entirety of the visit. The independent Risk Management Board that RAVEC itself decided was necessary last November has still 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 and to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the UK.”
Background and Implications
The statement comes amid ongoing debate about Prince Harry's security status after he stepped back from royal duties. The Duke has previously taken legal action over changes to his publicly funded security. The Invictus Games events mark one year until the competition in Birmingham, and Harry's attendance is seen as significant for the charity he founded.
