Prince Harry is set to receive ‘limited police protection’ during his UK visit next week. But as he’s no longer a working royal – should we really be footing the bill for his safety?
Prince Harry is set to get ‘limited police protection’ when he travels to the UK next week – despite losing his legal battle for taxpayer-funded security.
But should we really be footing the bill when he’s in the country, or should that be his responsibility now that he’s stepped away from royal duties?
Harry’s heading to London to attend his High Court trial against News Group Newspapers, and while here will have armed officers from the Metropolitan Police keeping an eye on him. This comes after the Duke lost a legal challenge last year to keep the same level of security he had as a working royal. Once he stepped back from royal duties and moved to the US, he no longer automatically got the same protection as the rest of the royal family.
But Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has agreed to provide The Duke of Sussex with armed officers from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, a source said.
The insider said: “He is offering Harry limited police protection. The Met has been trying to recruit officers on their days off because they don’t have a lot of spare staff.” It is understood that Harry was offered a place to stay at Buckingham Palace but turned it down.
The controversy started after Harry challenged the decision to downgrade his security, claiming he was unfairly singled out. The High Court ruled last year that the decision made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures was reasonable, meaning his security now depends on a case-by-case evaluation, just like any other VIP visitor to the UK.
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Harry was at the Coronation in 2023 with the usual security arrangements, and in June, the High Court gave him the green light to appeal that previous ruling on his protection level. But that doesn’t change the bigger question: should the taxpayer be funding this? Harry’s back in the UK for legal business, but his family, including Meghan and their children, will stay home in the US.
So, what do you think? Should we be footing the bill for Harry’s security as he was born a royal and is entitled to the protection, or should he be expected to cover the costs himself now that he’s no longer a working royal? Let us know your thoughts!
