Prince Harry is continuing his fight to have taxpayer-funded security reinstated in the UK, with a new review of the terror threat against his family ordered as he returns to Britain. The Duke of Sussex has tried the legal route without success and is now attempting what royal editors describe as the “lobbying, heartstrings route” in his campaign for police protection.
Harry and Meghan Markle have moved back to the UK from California, where they had lived for six years since quitting their royal roles in 2020. The family, including children Archie and Lilibet, are believed to be residing in the Cotswolds, with the children enrolled in UK schools for the new year in September.
Campaign for Security Assessment
The Duke has lobbied several times to have his security detail assessed by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), but is said to still be waiting for the outcome he desires. Harry has been campaigning for several years to have his police protection, which he was entitled to as a working royal, reinstated.
According to the Mirror's royal editor Russell Myers and deputy royal editor Jennifer Newton, Harry has had no choice but to try to pull on the heartstrings to get the police protection he has long been rallying for. On the Mirror's Pod Save the King YouTube show, Myers questioned whether the British public is growing fatigued by Harry's constant campaign or if people have started to feel sorry for him.
Public Sympathy and Legal Options
Jennifer Newton said: “I think from the public's point of view, there isn't a lot of sympathy for Harry unfortunately, because they are thinking, 'Why is my hard-earned taxpayer cash going to fund his lifestyle?'”
She added: “But I do think you've got to take emotion out of it when it comes to security; it's literally a case of: does he need it? The experts on RAVEC will allow it if he needs it. I do think this review should happen so we can get an answer once and for all.”
The deputy royal editor also noted: “He's tried the legal route that hasn't worked, and now he's trying the lobbying, heartstrings route. If that doesn't work, what other route does he have?”
New Review Ordered
Harry seems to have been given fresh hope of being granted taxpayer-funded security after a new review of the terror threat against his family was ordered. Sources revealed to the Mirror that the Home Office is “actively assessing” Harry's case again after the Duke wrote personally to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood asking for a renewed assessment of his security situation.
A long-awaited risk assessment, carried out by Ravec, took place at the end of July, when Harry informed officials of his intention to travel back to the UK, where the family are said to be on an “extended” stay. The Home Secretary has not made a decision on whether to change the Sussexes' right to security from the ad-hoc arrangement in place since they left their royal roles in 2020. However, now the family have moved permanently to the UK, sources said “the goalposts have moved”.
Harry had not been told of the Committee's previous conclusions prior to his move back to Britain. However, a source close to the duke said he was “confident of a change in proceedings”.
