The Duke of Sussex’s security measures for his upcoming trip to his home country are still up in the air, with the Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers saying Harry got ahead of himself
Prince Harry is just days away from heading to the UK to mark the official one year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham.
The Duke of Sussex was originally planning to bring his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, to his home country, but now his security battle has placed the family’s travel plans up in the air.
As has been standard practice for the prince over the years when returning to the UK, Harry had to put in an official request for police protection throughout the duration of the trip, which is largely funded by the taxpayer.
However, it is believed that this request has been denied for the upcoming trip, with reports now claiming that Harry may not be joined by his wife Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet as initially planned.
With Harry’s security detail still unconfirmed, the Mirror ’s royal editor Russell Myers said that the Duke may have jumped the gun when planning the trip, as he awaits the result of a review by the Home Office.
For several months, Harry has been waiting for a review by the Risk Management Board (RMB), part of the process by which the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) rules on his security requirements, but found out on Friday that this has yet to take place.
As a result, Russell said that he perhaps should have held off on planning a family trip to the UK until a definite answer on his police protection had been reached.
Appearing on Loose Women today, Russell said: “Harry has jumped the gun it looks like, because he thought he was going to be afforded this protection which he so craves, and yet what has happened is he put out a statement saying the whole family was coming to the UK, and then had to row back on it.”
Russell added that an argument can be made for Harry to receive police protection, as he said: “Harry is the son of the King, a former British soldier, and there have been threats against him and his family.”
A spokesperson for Harry issued a statement earlier this week saying they are “exploring every option available to enable the visit to proceed safely”, adding: “It is difficult to understand how the proportionality of the current arrangements can credibly be maintained without that independent assessment.”
Another source close to the Sussexes said that Harry is finding the planning for his trip very difficult, as he wants to bring his family to his home country, but is very concerned about their safety.
The source said: “Harry is devastated and in absolute turmoil over this decision. He is incredibly frustrated at the lack of action from the Home Office and its delay in making a decision. He has blamed dark forces for stopping his family coming to the UK and arranging to see the King. Everything is very much up in the air.”
The Duke of Sussex was first stripped of his police protection when in the UK after he and his wife Meghan Markle quit their royal duties in 2020 and relocated to America. Just one month after their announcement, Ravec decided Harry should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.
Ever since, Harry has fought to have his UK security reinstated, claiming it is ‘not safe’ to bring his wife and children to his home country without adequate police protection. Harry told the BBC in May last year: “I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.”
A spokesman for the duke has said: “The duke continues to explore every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely and to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the UK.”
