Prince Harry will receive limited police protection during his upcoming visit to London
for his High Court trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN), following a long-standing dispute over his security arrangements.
The Duke of Sussex’s security status has been a contentious issue since he and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back from their royal duties and relocated to the United States.
As a result, Harry no longer receives the same automatic taxpayer-funded protection from the UK police that is typically granted to senior members of the Royal Family.
The Metropolitan Police will provide Harry with armed officers from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command during his visit to attend the court hearings.
However, the level of security is not the same as what he would have received while still working as a member of the royal family.
The arrangement has been described as “limited,” reflecting a more constrained security provision for the Duke compared to the comprehensive protection typically offered to royals during official duties.
A source shared with the Mirror that the police have been facing staffing challenges, with some officers being recruited to provide protection during their days off due to limited available personnel. Despite these challenges, the Duke’s security needs have been assessed individually, and the Metropolitan Police have agreed to offer protection during the upcoming trial.
This decision comes after Harry’s broader legal battle over his security arrangements, which began in 2020 when he and Meghan made the decision to step away from their royal roles and move to North America. Since that time, the Duke’s security has been managed on a case-by-case basis, with each request evaluated as an operational matter. The Home Office ruled in March 2023 that Harry’s security downgrade, following his exit from royal duties, was not “irrational” or “unfair.” The High Court upheld this decision, and Harry was granted permission to appeal the ruling in June, with Judge David Bean noting that the challenge had a “real prospect of success.”
The Duke’s ongoing security dispute with the British government has placed him in a difficult position regarding his ability to visit the UK with his family. His lawyers have argued that without adequate security, Harry would be unable to safely bring his children to visit the country, particularly when they are not part of the royal family and cannot rely on the same level of protection. According to sources close to the Duke, the lack of guaranteed safety measures for his family during a visit to the UK makes it impossible for Harry to return with his children, which also affects his ability to support his charitable work in the country.
This situation highlights the increasingly complex nature of the Duke’s relationship with the British monarchy and the UK government. His decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and relocate to the US was intended to allow Harry and Meghan more independence and control over their lives, but it has also led to significant challenges in securing the safety and wellbeing of the Duke, his wife, and their children.
The issue of security for the Sussexes became particularly prominent during King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023. While Harry attended the event, he did so with the protection of the Metropolitan Police, a clear indication that, despite stepping away from royal duties, Harry still required police protection due to the ongoing security risks he faces. However, the controversy surrounding the lack of consistent and guaranteed protection for Harry has continued to simmer, with the upcoming court trial representing another chapter in the saga of his security dispute.
The next crucial stage in this matter is set to occur in April 2025, when an appeal hearing will take place regarding the downgrade of Prince Harry’s security. This hearing will be pivotal in determining whether the Duke’s security arrangements will be further reduced or whether his previous protections will be reinstated.
For Harry, the stakes are high. The outcome of this appeal could have a significant impact on his ability to visit the UK, particularly if he hopes to bring his children with him. As a father, he has emphasized the importance of his children being able to experience life in the UK and connect with their royal heritage, but these visits can only happen if he feels confident in the safety measures provided.
In the meantime, the Duke will continue with his legal battle and try to navigate the complex security landscape as he prepares for his High Court trial in London. His upcoming visit is an important moment in his ongoing struggle to secure the level of protection he believes is necessary for his family’s safety, as well as a reminder of the broader issues he faces as a member of the royal family who has chosen a life outside its traditional framework.
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