Prince Harry has been given a major boost in his long-running battle over his security arrangements in the UK, which Jennie Bond believes could have far-reaching ramifications
His long-running battle for automatic police protection when in the UK had seemingly hit a brick wall. But it seems Prince Harry has been a glimmer of hope in his bid to have automatic high-level taxpayer-funded security in the UK reinstated after it was taken away when he quit as a working royal.
Reports suggest that the Home Office has now ordered a threat assessment for the Duke of Sussex for the first time since 2020. The Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), has now said to have instructed its Risk Management Board to reassess his threat level, with a decision expected next month.
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During his previous court case, Harry claimed his security situation in the UK meant it was “impossible” for him to bring wife Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, back to the his home country safely.
And even though it is just a review at this stage, royal expert Jennie Bond believes it is highly significant for Harry. The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror : “I think this is a big win for Harry and the review is what he deserves.
“He can’t change the fact that he is the King‘s son. He is also a former army officer who has taken part in armed conflict in Afghanistan during two tours of duty.
“He has, foolishly many would argue, admitted killing 25 Taliban. In his memoir, Spare, he wrote: ‘When I was plunged into the heat and confusion of battle, I didn’t think about those as 25 people.… They were chess pieces taken off the board, bad guys eliminated before they kill good guys’.
“That admission must only have made the target already on his back even bigger. So I think he has legitimate concerns about his security – and the risk his family could face if he brings them to the UK.
“If our eight surviving former Prime Ministers are entitled to a high level of security (in some cases round the clock) then I think Prince Harry has the right to ask why he is not entitled to the same when he is in this country. He offered to pay but that is a non-starter because the Met police are not for hire.”
Harry’s security battle has not only reportedly affected his ability to show his children their heritage – it’s also said to have exacerbated his feud with his estranged father, the King.
In May after losing his case at the Court of Appeal, Harry claimed in an interview that his father wouldn’t talk to him due to his security battle. However, they have since had tea together at Clarence House during Harry’s visit to the UK in September.
And Jennie added: “Security worries lie at the very heart of Harry‘s estrangement from his family here. He has said that the dispute has always been the sticking point in any reconciliation with his father. He viewed the court‘s decision against him as ‘an old-fashioned establishment stitch up’.
“I think he is sincere when he talks about wanting his children to know and understand their heritage. And he has said publicly that he wants his father and his brother back in his life. That may still be some way off – particularly where William is concerned – but if he can at least feel he can bring his family here safely, there has to be some hope of reconciliation.
Source: Mirror
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