Harry Secures Armed Protection in Legal Victory

Prince Harry Secures Armed Police Protection for UK Visits

Prince Harry has reportedly secured the right to automatic armed police protection when he and his family visit the United Kingdom, following a prolonged legal battle. This development comes after a high-profile dispute with the royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec), which initially decided to remove his taxpayer-funded police protection after he left as a working member of the royal family.

In May of last year, the Duke of Sussex lost his court case against Ravec over their decision to withdraw his security. However, the 41-year-old prince took further action in September after a stalker, who had previously made online threats, was able to get within a “stone’s throw” of him during a recent visit to London.

As a result, Ravec, which operates under the oversight of the Home Office, conducted a new risk assessment. According to reports, they determined that the King’s youngest son meets the threshold for official protection.

According to the Mail on Sunday, a source close to the Sussexes stated: “It’s now a formality. Sources at the Home Office have indicated that security is now nailed on for Harry.”

Under current guidelines, the duke must inform the Metropolitan Police 30 days before arriving in the UK to apply for a security review. This process is decided on a case-by-case basis. As a result, Harry and his lawyers have argued that it is unsafe for him and his wife, Meghan, along with their two young children, Lilibet and Archie, to visit the country after their 24-hour security was withdrawn in 2020.

After losing his court case in May, the duke expressed his disappointment, describing the defeat as a “good old fashioned establishment stitch up.” He also blamed the Royal Household for influencing the decision.

When asked whether he had requested the King to intervene in the security dispute, Prince Harry responded: "I never asked him to intervene - I asked him to step out of the way and let the experts do their jobs."

Ravec is composed of security officials from the Metropolitan Police, the royal household, and the Home Office, who advise an independent chairman. During a visit to a children’s charity, WellChild, in September, Harry was granted police protection for one day. During this time, a female stalker managed to access the “secure zone.”

Two days later, during a trip to Imperial College London, she attempted to approach him but was allegedly prevented from doing so by a member of the duke’s private security team.

With Harry’s security reinstated, this could pave the way for a reunion between the King and his California-raised grandchildren, who have not seen their grandfather since the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in February 2022.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes declined to comment on “security matters.” A Home Office spokesperson stated: “The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”

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