Prince Harry not attending Philips memorial

[FlyingGeeseAgain]

It has been confirmed that Prince Harry will not be attending P Philips memorial service. What are people’s thoughts about this? Is the whole security issue a smoke screen for the fact he can’t face his family?

Well, if he's assessed to need security because of the event's profile he'd have got it in the UK too, so I'm not sure why that would be an issue

I’m sure that would be the case, but it would have been the case for Philips memorial service too, so I’m not sure how he could claim to be unsafe there 🤷‍♀️

Oh, you mean in the same way they assessed the threat of the 2 politicians who were killed recently?

I most certainly would not take that risk with my family.

Oh, you mean in the same way they assessed the threat of the 2 politicians who were killed recently?

Not at all the same. I’m talking about taking part in an event with others if the Royal Family where there is already security. The same as for Invictus in the Netherlands.
And if you wouldn’t risk your family, why do you even leave the house? Anyone could be at risk from a random terrorist unfortunately. By it’s nature, it’s difficult to protect people from. Harry’s argument was that he wanted protection so that he had access to British intelligence anyway, so he must think it’s good enough as we have said before.

Not the same at all, in the sense that Harry is already aware of threats against him.
The Dutch are not as petty, it looks like they looked at his situation and concluded that he will need the security.

As already stated, he cannot be shackled to family members all the time. Come to think of it, is that even a thing? Does insurance cover hangers on who happened to be in the vicinity when something happened to you? As in if you insure yourself, a shooting takes place, does the insurance cover your friends as well because they were there.

As already stated, he cannot be shackled to family members all the time

I appreciate that but what I am saying is that he would have been safe at the memorial because of existing security. The same as the security provided for Invictus. Not sure why you are using the example of insurance. If a shooter appeared and Harry was in the vicinity of his family, I doubt that security would just see him as a hanger on and not protect him, If you are seriously suggesting that 🤷‍♀️

Not what I am suggesting at all.

I am just pointing out how absurd it is, that it's not even something that is generally observed or considered .

He is covered at the memorial, but what happens when he is going to friends, charity, airport? PC or whoever is supposed to go with him all thee time to make sure he is covered ? Because there will be no security at that point.

What security are the Dutch authorities providing?

Are they like the British, and provide on basis of need? Or are they doing what Harry wants the British to do and providing blanket coverage for all ant any visits regardless of itinerary and threat assessment at the time?

Because there will be no security at that point

Maybe, it'll be reassessed for each visit. And of course he can employ a security team, just like all others who do not qualify for publicity funded close protection

How many times does H go to NL? Considering he has no family there.

I doubt other countries will have a problem with giving him the full scale diplomatic protection on the one does go to them.
Britain needs to sort itself out.

The Dutch palace would be offered to Royals on royal visits representing the Queen. I don’t think they qualify to stay.

Hopefully Invictus and the veterans get to shine as they are the important ones in all of this, rather than what security PH gets.

I will admit a little concern over potential commercialisation of the Games - potentially promoting better up a paid for service and filming for Netflix , but let’s wait and see,

Hopefully by using Netflix - the games are not being charged large amounts for travel and wardrobe etc as I can imagine they run much of the surplus.

There hasn't actually been any statement from the Dutch authorities that Harry will get round the clock armed protection. There is no such thing as official 'VVIP' status in Holland. It doesn't exist.

From what I've read, the venue itself will be heavily protected due to the presence of so many military veterans and members of the Dutch royal family. But there is no indication that Harry will have elite armed police assigned to him for his entire visit. He is of course free to use his own unarmed private security team, who would be informed were any serious threats to arise. Similar arrangements to what he would have in the UK, or anywhere else.

What security are the Dutch authorities providing?

This is the point of course as Puzzled said earlier. There is no evidence that blanket security is being provided for anything other than being at Invictus. We cannot know for certain as obviously no details will be given. But I can’t imagine why it would be. Maybe he didn’t want to come to the memorial as he wasn’t allowed to have a Netflix crew in tow, unlike at Invictus 🤷‍♀️

He is of course free to use his own unarmed private security team, who would be informed were any serious threats to arise. Similar arrangements to what he would have in the UK, or anywhere else.

We don't allow private armed security from overseas here.

Dutch RF in difficult position diplomatically speaking! If they offer accommodation they risk upsetting Her Maj I suppose. And H & M are all about being "private people" not royals anymore ...plus a good hotel may be a lot more comfortable than a draughty palace

All very fair points and I'm pretty sure H&M have stayed in hotels on other trips, but I guess I just thought it would be a nice thing for the famously friendly Dutch RF to offer

WinnieTheW0rm at the risk of sounding like a broken record I'll say again that we can't know the details of the security because they're understandably close-mouthed about these things. Reportedly H&M will bring their own security too, and interestingly they're not allowed firearms in the Netherlands either, but apart from that it's all "sources" and that can mean anything

Maybe he didn’t want to come to the memorial as he wasn’t allowed to have a Netflix crew in tow, unlike at Invictus

Maybe that's not the case.

@notanotheroneagain

He is of course free to use his own unarmed private security team, who would be informed were any serious threats to arise. Similar arrangements to what he would have in the UK, or anywhere else.

We don't allow private armed security from overseas here.

If you'd bothered to read the post you quoted, you'd have seen that I referred to his 'unarmed private security team'.

I will admit a little concern over potential commercialisation of the Games - potentially promoting better up a paid for service and filming for Netflix , but let’s wait and see,

Were you and are you concerned about The BBC and others making a profit out of this.
And when you are watching any sport like tennis, football etc. and you see a company that is partnering, do you feel the same way? or do you think, oh that's nice they are participating/helping/promoting etc.

I guess you are not aware that Invictus is providing free accommodation, tickets etc. for family and friends.

I know we won't know the detail - we don't need to

But I was wondering if there had been any statement at all. It'll be apparent soon enough if there is a Dutch protection team (as opposed to him bringing any of his US ones) but perhaps hard to know if they are private or government.

Can VIPs buy police close protection in the Netherlands?

(And I'd say Invictus was already heavily commercial, has been all along, so don't see a problem with exposure on Netflix)

Can VIPs buy police close protection in the Netherlands?

Of course not.

Anyone can use a private security firm, but they will be unarmed and are considered civilians with no special rights or privileges under the law.

And being a 'VIP', however that be defined, carries no official status. It's meaningless.

Hopefully Invictus and the veterans get to shine as they are the important ones in all of this, rather than what security PH gets

I couldn't agree more; at least while it's on I really hope the focus stays where it belongs, and that the event's not sidetracked by silly media stories and personal issues

Maybe, it'll be reassessed for each visit

There's no maybe about it, Winnie, since the Home Office have said clearly that this is exactly what happens with all such decisions
The issue seems to be that Harry wants security all the time whether there's an assessed risk or not, and opinions differ around what his motivation for that is

It'll be apparent soon enough if there is a Dutch protection team (as opposed to him bringing any of his US ones) but perhaps hard to know if they are private or government

I wouldn't worry Winnie - I'm only waiting for someone to pick out one of the staff in attendance, insisting they're the top bod in Dutch state security and that they know them personally

Also agree with you about any "commercialisation" since there's always someone looking to make money from these things - and anyway I doubt the veterans would care since it all publicises this very worthwhile cause
I'd expect them to care if H&M use this to do a South Africa-style "poor us"interview though, but I sincerely hope that won't happen

what his motivation for that is

I think he made it clear that his motivation is to keep his family safe.

The games are and have been about the vets. Have you not seen all the send offs from presidents, fist ladies etc (well except the UK I suppose). As well as coverage of their back stories.

I doubt other countries will have a problem with giving him the full scale diplomatic protection on the one does go to them.

Not sure what you mean with the final 7 words, but Canada and the US, the two countries in which Harry has lived since 'stepping back', have not provided him with any sort of official protection. The situation is still unclear with regard to The Netherlands.

Why would a private citizen warrant 'full scale diplomatic protection'? He no longer represents the monarchy or the UK.

@notanotheroneagain

PH’s role has changed, he’s no longer just a royal patron. He’s now a CHIMPO/Netflix producer/ex Royal. It’s more complex which makes it more of a tightrope for him to keep multiple organisations happy.

It will take some getting used to for everyone, especially PH. I quite understand that TV buy commercial rights but when the duchess of Cambridge is handing over the trophy at Wimbledon she’s under no pressure to make commercial plugs such as ‘buy M&S strawberry who’ve sponsored all the strawberries in the royal box’ or to refuse to stand in photos due to contactual footage issues.

Not strictly true. Diana died because she wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.