A royal expert has claimed that the Duke of Sussex ‘deserves our protection’, as his restricted security entitlements in his home country are being reviewed
Prince Harry has long fought for his security arrangements in the UK to be reviewed , claiming that his homeland is not ‘safe’ for his family to visit. Now it is being reported that the Home Office is taking a fresh look at his case, with one royal expert claiming that he “deserves our protection” in his home country and that reinstating it could “pave the way” for a Royal Family reunion.
Harry lost his automatic right to publicly-funded police security in the UK in February 2020 after a decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC), following Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to quit their royal duties and relocate to America.
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For the last five years, Harry’s security in the UK has been decided on a “case-by-case” basis, meaning he must give advance notice of his visits so a threat assessment can be made.
The Duke of Sussex has long fought against the arrangement and has been involved in a lengthy legal battle against the UK government, arguing that he and his family face significant security threats and that the new arrangements are “unjustified and inferior”.
But, according to new reports, his security arrangements for his visits to the UK are undergoing a fresh review, with the Home Office initiating a new threat assessment. It marks the first such assessment since 2020, according to The Sun. The newspaper reported that the process is already in progress, with a decision anticipated next month.
In light of the news of the review, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said that Harry “deserves” the tax-payer funded protection when in his home country, given that the same security measures are given to former politicians.
She told the i Paper : “Security is offered to a former prime minister who served barely any longer than a lettuce takes to wilt, then surely the son of the King deserves the same? Prince Harry is asking for the Metropolitan Police to protect him and (if he were to bring them) his family on occasional visits to the UK. It does not seem an unreasonable request. He cannot change the fact that he is the King’s son.”
Jennie explained that the issue of Harry’s security has long been a major driving force behind his estrangement from the Royal Family, as she wrote: “If he (Harry) gets his wish and his security is restored when he is in the UK, it could pave the way to a family reunion.
“There’s no doubt that our elderly King would love to see his grandchildren. And, for all the bitterness of recent years, he still loves his youngest son, his ‘darling boy’.”
“For his part, I think the Prince is sincere when he talks about wanting his children to know and understand their heritage. And he has said publicly that he wants his father and his brother back in his life. That may still be some way off – particularly where William is concerned – but if he can at least feel he can bring his family here safely, there has to be some hope of reconciliation.”
Harry most recently travelled to the UK in September this year, marking the first trip to his home country in almost two years. On a whirlwind four-day trip, Harry attended the annual WellChild Awards in London, and understood several other charitable engagements.
While in the UK, the Duke of Sussex travelled to Clarence House to have a 50-minute private tea with his father King Charles, with many believing the clandestine meeting could pave the way to a reconciliation within the Royal Family.
