Prince Harry will be granted “limited police protection”
when he travels to the UK next week to attend his High Court trial against News Group Newspapers.
The Duke of Sussex, who is set to face the publisher of *The Sun* over claims of unlawful information-gathering,
will be provided with security from the Metropolitan Police during the hearings.
This follows his legal battle for taxpayer-funded protection,
a case he lost after challenging a decision to downgrade his security when he stepped back from royal duties.
Sources close to the situation have confirmed that Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has agreed to provide Harry with armed officers from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command. However, the protection will be limited, with a source stating, “He is offering Harry limited police protection.” Given the current staffing shortages within the Met Police, the department has reportedly been asking officers to volunteer for extra shifts to ensure adequate coverage. Despite the security arrangements, Harry was offered accommodation at Buckingham Palace but declined the offer.
The limited protection comes after a legal setback for Prince Harry, who had previously contested the decision to reduce his security when he ceased to be a working royal. When Harry and his wife Meghan Markle decided to step back from their senior roles within the Royal Family and relocate to the United States, he lost the automatic right to the same level of police protection afforded to other members of the family. This change in status led to his decision to challenge the downgrading of his security arrangements in court.
In March 2023, the High Court ruled in favor of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which had determined that Harry’s security should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The committee’s decision meant that Harry’s security would be determined based on the perceived risk of his visit, in the same manner as other VIP visitors to the UK. The Home Office welcomed the court’s ruling, emphasizing that Harry’s protection would be managed according to the potential risks he faced.
Prince Harry had been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the decision, claiming that he was unfairly singled out in 2020 when the security downgrade occurred. Despite his legal challenges, the court upheld the ruling and emphasized that the decision was neither irrational nor unfair. In a subsequent development, the Home Office stated that they were pleased with the judgment, which confirmed that security decisions would be made based on perceived risks, rather than automatically providing protection.
Harry’s security during his previous visit to the UK in May 2023 for the Coronation of King Charles III was arranged by the Metropolitan Police. However, the level of protection offered was again determined by the perceived risks associated with his presence at the event. Following this, the Duke was granted permission to appeal the High Court’s decision, with Judge David Bean acknowledging that Harry’s case had a “real prospect of success,” although the ruling was not made without some reservations.
As for Meghan Markle, she will remain in the United States with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, during Harry’s upcoming UK visit. Meghan has not returned to the UK since September 2022, when she attended the funeral of Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The couple has continued to maintain a low public profile regarding their private life, with Harry’s legal battles and occasional public appearances being the focus of attention.
As Prince Harry prepares for his legal proceedings against News Group Newspapers, his limited police protection highlights ongoing concerns over his security and privacy. The arrangement is likely to be scrutinized by the public and the media, particularly as the Duke’s legal challenges continue to unfold in the coming weeks.
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