The Duke of Sussex has reportedly secured a significant victory in his long-running battle over personal security, with the Home Office agreeing to review the level of police protection he receives when visiting the United Kingdom.
A Long-Running Dispute Over Protection
This development follows years of legal wrangling and public statements from Prince Harry, who was left furious when the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) withdrew his 24-hour, taxpayer-funded armed protection in 2020. This decision came after he and Meghan Markle stepped down as working members of the Royal Family. The Duke has consistently argued that the removal of this security status happened ‘overnight’, dramatically altering his threat level.
In a candid BBC interview in May of this year, after losing a court appeal to have his security restored, Harry made incendiary claims. He alleged there had been ‘interference’ by the Royal Household in the original 2020 decision by RAVEC. Blaming what he termed a ‘good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up’, the Prince concluded that ‘the other side have won in keeping me unsafe’. When pressed on which aspects of his current arrangements made him feel unsafe, his stark reply was: ‘Everything’.
The Mechanics of the New Review
According to reports, the Home Office has now requested a fresh assessment of the threat posed to the Duke—the first such evaluation in five years. The process is said to be already advanced, with statements having been gathered from police, government officials, and Harry’s own team. It is understood that Harry’s representatives wrote to the new Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, requesting a risk reassessment shortly after she took up the role.
The review body, RAVEC, which decides on taxpayer-funded security for royals and public figures, could reach a decision as early as next month. If the Duke’s round-the-clock armed protection is fully restored, the cost would be covered by the public purse whenever he is on British soil. Currently, Harry must give the Metropolitan Police 30 days' notice before any UK visit, with each trip assessed individually.
Implications for Royal Family Reunions
The potential restoration of his security detail is seen as a critical step that could enable Prince Harry and his family to spend more time in the UK. Earlier this year, Harry stated it would be ‘impossible’ to bring Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, back without adequate protection. He expressed sadness at not being able to show his homeland to his young family, despite his love for the UK.
A return of formal security could encourage visits, allowing the children to see their grandfather, King Charles III, whom they have not reportedly seen since the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the late Queen in June 2022. This follows a solo trip by Harry in September, where he met the King for the first time in 19 months. Notably, during that visit, the Metropolitan Police voluntarily provided security for his attendance at the WellChild Awards, a decision made independently of the Home Office or Palace due to the high-profile nature of the event.
However, that same visit highlighted ongoing security concerns. A stalker was reportedly able to pass within feet of the Prince on two separate occasions, once in a central London hotel's secure zone and again at a study centre where there was no police presence.
A Home Office spokesperson maintained their standard position, stating: ‘The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.’ Representatives for the Duke of Sussex declined to comment.
