Prince Harry should be given sate-sponsored security during his visits to the UK, according to a former Kensington Palace aide.
The Duke of Sussex has been struggling with where to stay when he visits his home county, but that’s not his only problem. When Harry pulled back on responsibilities as a royal, he lost some of the perks, including security.
In 2020, Harry was stripped of his Metropolitan Police bodyguards. He wasn’t thrilled with the turn of events and sued the British Government… twice. Harry lost the first case and the second is still pending trial. While he waits for the final decision, he relies on private security.
Former Kensington Palace aide, Alex Bomberg, has stepped in, sharing his opinion: “I personally think Harry should be afforded royalty protection. He was born into the royal family.”
Bomberg acknowledges the fact that Harry is now part-time, but he doesn’t think it should matter: “Athough he’s no longer a working royal, that choice was already made for him.”
He also think Harry’s military background plays a role in the decision-making: “He served in Afghanistan, he was pushed forward as a shining beacon there. So, he’s been put at risk.”
Harry has private security in both the U.S. and U.K., but neither security team is allowed to carry guns while on British soil. Harry offered to pay for police protection in his lawsuit, but his argument was declined and he lost the case.
Bomberg is adamant about Harry’s needs, reinforcing the above statements: “Prince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life. He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats.”
Just recently, it was reported that Harry tried to stay at Windsor Castle, but he was turned away because they were not expecting him.
Because of that, he stayed at a hotel, without police protection. Now, the plan is for Harry to provide advance notice when wanting to stay on royal grounds.
In January 2022, Harry’s legal representative released a statement: “Prince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life. He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats.
While his role within the Institution has changed, his profile as a member of the royal family has not. Nor has the threat to him and his family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed whilst in the U.K. In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home.”
