A landmark ruling on Prince Harry's fight for automatic police protection in the UK is poised to be announced within weeks, a decision a royal insider says "would change everything" for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The Imminent Decision and Its Personal Impact
After a lengthy legal battle, the Government’s Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) is reportedly set to confirm a decision thought to be in Prince Harry's favour. This would restore his taxpayer-funded, armed security detail when he is in Britain. The Duke, 41, has consistently cited security concerns as the primary reason for his reluctance to bring his children, Archie and Lilibet, to the UK. A positive outcome is believed to be something he is confident about and would significantly ease those fears.
This development could pave the way for more frequent family visits, potentially allowing King Charles to see his grandchildren in the UK for the first time since June 2022, when Lilibet had just celebrated her first birthday. Their father's last visit in September 2025 included a private meeting with the King in London, seen as a step towards reconciliation.
A Controversial Precedent and Taxpayer Outrage
However, the potential ruling is mired in controversy. Currently, only "working royals" like Princess Anne and Prince Edward are entitled to state-funded protection, and only whilst undertaking official public duties. Harry and Meghan, who stepped back from royal roles in 2020 and carry out no public duties for the Firm, would receive round-the-clock security whenever in the country.
Veteran royal reporter Richard Eden, in a piece for the Daily Mail, argued this creates a "half in, half out" model. He stated: "They would have the major perk of automatic taxpayer-funded protection but none of the obligations of public service." He further warned that forcing taxpayers to fund security for the wealthy couple—noting Harry's £1.1 million personal donation to Children in Need last September—"would cause outrage."
Broader Ramifications for the Monarchy
Experts suggest a win for Harry would open a constitutional can of worms, setting a contentious precedent for who is entitled to state-funded security. It raises fundamental questions about the link between public duty and public funding within the modern monarchy. The coming weeks will reveal whether the Duke's security battle concludes with a personal victory that simultaneously ignites a fresh political and public debate about royal finances and privilege.
The final decision from RAVEC, expected imminently, will not only affect Prince Harry's travel plans but could also redefine the boundaries between the institution of the Royal Family and its non-working members for years to come.
