Prince Harry's UK security 'under review' following appeal loss
The Sussexes had their security downgraded in 2020Prince Harry’s access to security when he visits the UK is once again under review, according to reports.
Back in May, the Duke of Sussex lost his court battle to have his police protection reinstated.
In a subsequent BBC interview, the prince claimed that the ruling meant he no longer felt safe bringing his wife and two children over to Britain.
Why was Prince Harry and Meghan’s security downgraded?
RAVEC (Royal and VIP Executive Committee) previously made the decision to downgrade Prince Harry’s taxpayer-funded security after he and wife Meghan Markle stepped down from their senior royal roles and moved to the US in 2020.
They ruled that the couple’s security would instead be surveyed on a bespoke, case-by-case basis. This means that Harry currently has to contact the Metropolitan Police thirty days before arriving in the UK for a security review.
For the past five years, the prince has fought against this decision. His legal team claimed that Harry and Meghan had been “singled out for different, inferior treatment”. However, in 2024, he lost an initial attempt to appeal against the ruling. Earlier this year, a further appeal was also unsuccessful.
I can’t see a world in which I will be bringing my wife and children back to the UK.
“I can’t see a world in which I will be bringing my wife and children back to the UK,” Harry said in reaction to the latest Court of Appeal verdict.
“They’re going to miss everything,” he continued sadly. “I love my country. I miss the UK, I miss parts of the UK. It’s sad I won’t be able to show my children my homeland.”
In September, Harry made a solo trip to UK, while his young family remained in the States. He attended various charity engagements and reportedly reunited with his father the king for the first time in 19 months.
Latest claims
Now, according to The Sun, the Sussexes’ security is once again under review.
As per the newspaper, the Home Office has ordered a reassessment of the duke’s threat level, for the first time since Harry stepped down as a working royal in 2020. During his last assessment, it was claimed that the level of threat he faced had fallen, leading to the removal of his automatic right to armed protection.
The newspaper claims RAVEC, which is overseen by the Home Office, has already begun the process. Their Risk Management Board will reportedly take evidence from the police, government and Harry’s team. A decision is apparently expected next month.
Royal Insider has contacted reps for Harry for comment.
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