In a significant development for the Royal Family, the Duke of Sussex has reportedly won his battle to receive automatic, taxpayer-funded armed police protection whenever he visits the United Kingdom. Sources close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle indicate that a formal ruling in his favour is expected to be announced within weeks.
A Decision Driven by Security Concerns
The decision follows a fresh risk assessment carried out by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec). Prince Harry wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in September 2024, calling for a reappraisal of his security status after what he described as dangerous lapses. During a trip to the UK that same month, a female stalker who had made previous online threats managed to access a secure zone at a children's charity event he attended.
The situation escalated two days later when, without his police protection detail, the same individual got within 'a stone's throw' of the Duke at another engagement and attempted to approach him. A member of Harry's private staff, who is ex-Army, had to intervene with a body-block to protect him. These incidents were included as evidence presented to the risk management board advising Ravec.
Paving the Way for a Royal Reunion
The reinstatement of his security is seen as a crucial step that could allow for a reunion between King Charles and his California-based grandchildren, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four. The King is said to be very keen to see them on British soil again; he last met them during the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee in February 2022.
Sources state that the risk management board members have now concluded the Duke meets the threshold for protection, leaving Ravec with little choice but to approve. 'It's now a formality,' a source said, adding that only an intervention from the Palace could scupper the approval, which seems unlikely given recent signs of rapprochement between father and son.
The Long Road to a Security Guarantee
Prince Harry, 41, has consistently argued that the UK is not safe for him and his family without round-the-clock armed protection. His legal team has stated the withdrawal of security left his life 'at stake'. His last official risk assessment was in 2020, before he stepped back as a working royal. Although he lost a High Court battle on the matter in May 2023, the new review last month has led to this anticipated reversal.
Ravec, which includes officials from the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police, and the Royal Household, determines who receives state protection. A Sussex source commented, 'Obviously given he's the King's son it is the right thing to do, but it's about everyone being able to save face.' The Home Office maintains its policy of not commenting on specific security arrangements.
The Duke is expected to travel to the UK next month to give evidence in a court case involving Associated Newspapers, though Meghan Markle is not anticipated to join him on this trip.
