Prince Harry may not fully understand why his demand for taxpayer-funded police protection has sparked such a strong public reaction, according to royal expert Jennie Bond.
The Duke of Sussex is still waiting for a decision on whether he and his family can receive publicly funded security during their time in the UK. The issue has once again come under intense scrutiny as Harry, Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have reportedly returned to Britain for an extended stay.
Their move has reignited questions about where the family will live and, perhaps most controversially, who should pay for their protection.
Harry lost a legal battle against the Home Office over the security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Harry’s Security Battle Continues
Harry previously lost a legal challenge against the Home Office over the security arrangements provided to him and his family when visiting the UK.
His protection arrangements changed after he stepped back as a working member of the Royal Family, meaning he was no longer automatically entitled to the same level of police protection.
Now that the Sussexes are spending more time in Britain, the question has become relevant once again.
According to Bond, Harry’s case may become harder for some members of the public to sympathise with the longer he remains in the country without taxpayer-funded protection.
“I suppose the problem is that the longer he and his family stay here with no taxpayer-funded security, the weaker his case may seem. And the public will take note of that,” she told the Mirror.
However, she acknowledged that the situation could change very quickly if the Sussexes were targeted.
“Things could change in an instant if Harry or his family were targeted,” Bond said. “And there’s no denying that his risk level — given his high profile and military background — must be significant.”
Harry and Meghan are now back in the UK(Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
‘He Doesn’t Do Himself Any Favours’
Bond believes Harry may underestimate the extent of public opposition to paying for his security.
“I’m not sure that Harry does understand the public antipathy to funding his security,” she said.
She also suggested that the Sussexes’ decision to arrive in the UK by private jet may have made it more difficult for some people to sympathise with their position.
“Arriving in the UK in a plush private jet did not do his image any good,” Bond said.
The royal commentator acknowledged that Harry has offered to pay for his own protection, but pointed out that there are limitations to what private security can provide.
“Yes, he needs security. Yes, he has offered to pay, but the Metropolitan Police cannot be ‘hired’,” she explained. “And yes, he feels he needs armed protection, which his private bodyguards cannot provide in the UK.”
But Bond believes the optics remain problematic.
“If he can afford a jet — or friends who will lend him one — then I understand that many people will feel he can afford to pay for a pretty substantial level of private security, even if without guns,” she said.
“So he doesn’t do himself any favours.”
Harry served two tours of duty in Afghanistan(Image: PA)
Harry Raises Concerns Over an Alleged Al Qaeda Threat
The security dispute has intensified following claims made by Harry’s legal team concerning an alleged 2023 threat from al Qaeda.
Earlier this month, Harry wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood asking her to personally consider whether his family should receive close police protection while in the UK.
His lawyers are understood to have alleged that the chair of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, known as Ravec, was aware of an al Qaeda threat but failed to pass the information to Harry’s security team or US authorities while he was living in America.
The allegations have added another dimension to Harry’s long-running dispute over his protection arrangements.
The King with younger son Prince Harry(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Bond Believes Harry Should Receive Some Publicly Funded Protection
Despite her criticism of Harry’s handling of the issue, Bond said she personally believes the Duke should receive a moderate level of taxpayer-funded security.
“Having said that, I personally believe he does deserve a moderate level of taxpayer-funded security,” she said.
“Simply having a number to ring in an emergency does not seem sufficient.”
Bond also suggested there could potentially be a compromise that would address concerns over the cost to the public.
“I also think there must be some way in which either he or the King could contribute to the public purse in place of some of the taxes which might go towards Harry’s security,” she said. “It surely can’t be rocket science?”
Could the Dispute Affect Harry and King Charles?
Harry’s security battle has previously been described as a major source of tension between him and his father, King Charles.
During his legal fight with the Home Office, Harry acknowledged that security had become a significant point of disagreement between them. However, reports at the time stressed that the King could not simply intervene in the legal process, despite suggestions that he might have been able to help.
Bond believes the issue does not necessarily have to damage the father-and-son relationship further.
“As long as Harry is not in open, legal dispute with the Government, I don’t see why the security issue should be a sticking point in his relationship with his father,” she said.
“I think he’s perfectly entitled to ask questions about it privately and hopefully he will soon get some answers.”
‘Perhaps the Dramas Are Over — For Now’
For the moment, Bond noted that Harry and Meghan appear to be maintaining a relatively low public profile during their time in the UK.
“In the meantime, the Sussexes seem to be keeping a very low profile — which bodes well for the future,” she said.
“Perhaps the dramas are over – for now at least – and everyone can simply get on with their lives.”
But given the long-running tensions surrounding Harry and his family, Bond ended with a note of caution.
“Might be wise not to hold your breath for too long, though!”