A former royal protection officer has said Prince Harry's legal bid for police protection when visiting the UK will fail because the risk to his safety is 'low'. Dai Davies, former operational unit commander of the Metropolitan Police, argued that the Duke of Sussex 'can't pick and choose' when bodyguards are supplied, as it was 'his prerogative to choose to go America'.
Davies noted that Princess Anne does not receive full-time protection despite a failed kidnap attempt in 1974, when her bodyguard and chauffeur were shot. The comments come after Harry launched a judicial review of the government's decision not to provide him with taxpayer-funded police protection on visits to the UK. The duke lost his security in 2020 when he stepped back as a working royal and moved to the US.
Harry has offered to pay for his own security but wants police support because his US bodyguards lack access to UK intelligence. However, government officials fear this could set a precedent for wealthy individuals to use the Met as a private police force. Davies said: 'There has never been a precedent where somebody pays for their security in this country. If it's required, it will be provided.'
Palace insiders say the Queen does not wish to be involved, with one source stating: 'Her Majesty certainly won't cave in to his demands.' Harry's lawyers argue he inherited a security risk due to his royal birth and combat tours in Afghanistan. His representatives said he wants to bring his children to the UK but cannot due to safety concerns, citing an incident in 2021 when his car was chased by paparazzi.
