Prince Harry is set to receive “limited police protection” during his visit to the UK next week, following his unsuccessful legal fight for taxpayer-funded security.
The Duke of Sussex is due to journey from his US residence to London for his impending High Court trial against News Group Newspapers.
He will be provided with protection by the Metropolitan Police while attending the hearings. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has agreed to supply Harry with armed officers from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, according to a source.
The insider revealed: “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’s understood that Harry was offered accommodation at Buckingham Palace but declined. This follows after the Duke lost a legal challenge last year regarding his protection in the UK, the Mirror reports.
He was disputing a decision to downgrade his security status when he ceased being a working royal. Upon stepping back from his role and relocating to the US, Harry no longer automatically received the same level of police protection afforded to the Royal Family.
The security arrangements for Prince Harry have been deemed an operational decision by the Metropolitan Police, subject to evaluation on a case-by-case basis, akin to other high-profile visitors to the UK.
Harry had expressed that he felt singled out by the 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures.
However, the High Court in March found that Ravec’s ruling was neither irrational nor unfair. The Home Office welcomed the court’s decision, noting that Harry’s security would be tailored based on assessed risk.
Despite this, Harry attended the Coronation in 2023 under the protection of the Metropolitan Police. In June, he received approval to appeal against the High Court’s dismissal of his challenge regarding the level of police protection afforded to him while in the UK.
Judge David Bean, granting the appeal, stated “not without hesitation” that there is a legitimate chance of success for Harry’s case.
Furthermore, Prince Harry, alongside former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson, is taking legal action against NGN, the publisher of The Sun, alleging illicit information-gathering and breaches of privacy. When visiting the UK, Meghan plans to stay back with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Meghan has not set foot on UK soil since September 2022, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Harry has been approached for a statement.
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