The Duke of Sussex could be on the verge of a significant victory in his long-running battle to have his police protection in the United Kingdom restored. The Home Office has ordered a fresh threat assessment for Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, marking the first such review since 2020 and raising the possibility of reinstated taxpayer-funded security.
A Five-Year Battle for Protection
Prince Harry's automatic right to police protection in the UK was removed in 2020 following his and Meghan's decision to step back as senior working royals and relocate to the United States. The Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) subsequently ruled that his security should be determined on a 'case-by-case' basis whenever he visits.
This arrangement has been a persistent source of contention for the Duke. He has repeatedly argued that it is 'not safe' to bring his wife and children, Archie and Lilibet, to his home country without guaranteed, robust protection. His legal challenge against the initial decision culminated in a High Court defeat in May of last year, a ruling he described as a 'good old fashioned establishment stitch up'.
New Hope Under a New Home Secretary
The landscape shifted following the appointment of Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary in September 2025. Prince Harry promptly wrote to her, submitting a formal request for a new risk assessment to Ravec. The Home Office has now acted on this request, with a final decision anticipated in the coming weeks.
Sources close to the Sussexes indicate the Duke is 'confident' the review will rule in his favour. A friend of the couple suggested that having their security restored would 'change everything', potentially paving the way for more frequent family visits and aiding a reconciliation with the Royal Family.
Controversy and Competing Perspectives
The potential reinstatement of state-funded security is not without controversy. Critics argue it would grant Harry and Meghan the privileges of royalty without the accompanying duties. Royal commentator Richard Eden noted it would allow them to be 'half in, half out' royals, enjoying automatic protection funded by 'hard-pressed British taxpayers' while pursuing private ventures.
This perspective highlights the tension, especially given Harry's personal wealth, exemplified by a £1.1 million donation to Children in Need during a September visit. Conversely, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has argued that Harry, as the son of the King, deserves protection akin to that afforded to former prime ministers, calling it a 'not unreasonable request'.
The impending decision from the Home Office carries significant weight. It will not only determine the security protocol for the Sussexes on UK soil but also influence the fragile dynamics within the Royal Family and spark a fresh debate about the appropriate use of public funds for individuals who have chosen a life outside the institution.
