Prince Harry, who’s gearing up to visit to the UK, has been limited to phone number for UK police protection as security review stalls.
The Duke of Sussex, who links his UK return to foolproof security, is still furious that a Home Office committee downgraded his security level when he stood back as a working member of the royal family in 2020.
To a question what security the Prince actually gets in the United Kingdom, an expert responded as saying, “a phone number for a police liaison officer, with many more digits than the country’s quick 999 emergency call system.”
Apart from his own private bodyguards who are legally banned from carrying firearms, Harry reportedly does not have access to police or secret intelligence, according GB New.
King Charles estraged son and his family have limited protection. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s father enjoys no specialist vehicle escort, personal protection officers, reinforced barriers, or snipers on rooftops.
Sometimes, local police forces have taken pity on the prince and provided a small amount of support out of their own budgets.
Yet, around-the-clock armed police protection costs the British taxpayer millions of pounds each year, which six years ago was deemed disproportionate for a former working Royal.
The Duke of Sussex lost a High Court appeal to overturn this decision.
The former working royal had also offered to pay for his own police protection, but a judge declared police were “not for sale” – ruling wealthy individuals should not have the right to hire officers for their own personal protection.
Last November, The Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) decided an independent Risk Management Board (RMB) should take place to conduct an objective assessment of Harry’s current threat level and vulnerability.
Despite the duke’s office being told the RMB was happening in March, it is understood they only found out on Friday that all assessments had been “paused” without explanation, and Ravec had therefore not updated their stance on Harry’s security situation.
Meanwhile, the royal household had made the offer to Harry that he and his family could stay in a protected royal residence during their stay, but no reply has been received.
A spokesman for the Duke of Sussex responded: “Prince Harry’s programme in the United Kingdom includes both public and private engagements across the country.
Safe accommodation is only one element of an effective protective security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.
“The issue has never been accommodation. The issue is whether appropriate and proportionate protective security is being provided throughout the entirety of the visit. The independent Risk Management Board that Ravec itself decided was necessary last November has still not taken place. It is therefore difficult to understand how the proportionality of the current arrangements can credibly be maintained without that independent assessment.
“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.”
King Charles has not seen his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for four years.
2026-06-29 23:42:00
