Duke of Sussex security to be reviewed

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The Duke of Sussex lost his argument in the Court of Appeal in May for automatic taxpayer security: the current arrangement is that his security needs are assessed on a case-by-case basis provided he gives notice.

He has recently been in touch with the new Home Secretary, and the latest update is that RAVEC has asked its Risk Management Board (RMB) to reassess his threat level.

Telegraph archive link

If RAVEC's risk assessment finds he needs armed protection, of course he must have it, not least for the reputational reasons you cite. It would be better all round, though, if Harry's threat level has decreased - better for him, obviously, but also because we would all avoid the rightful outrage should this pampered prince soak up yet more lucre from the hard-pressed Treasury.

I agree.

I think Harry is the classic example of the expat who thinks their home country is frozen at the moment they left. Harry is still stuck in a time when he was one of the most popular royals and he and Meghan were the new royal glamour couple. But so much has changed since then.

Harry doesn't seem to get that nobody cares if he and his family never visit again. But as I've said before, what Harry doesn't get could fill Montecito Manor.

I agree completely, IcedPurple, but it all falls apart a bit when we see Harry insisting that he now wants reconciliation

Which rather suggests he doesn't believe this at all, and that suggestions they want him dead are merely a tantrum designed to help him get his own way

He did, and it wasn’t enough for either of them.
They wanted out to monetise their titles and they’ve done that, despite being told not to.
You really think they should be given a slice of the Royal pie in the UK as well?

Indeed. It would be good news all round if Harry’s threat risk was found to be diminished.

In all honesty, if he is taking a load of drugs , paranoia is a symptom, and I’m sure a bit of a shove from hers truly would at him off gasbagging to the press he so badly despises in order to get what he wants and demands
I also feel that there’s so much negativity for him and his wife that there’s be a bloody uproar from the peasants

Can you imagine the tantrum ? Rather than being pleased that he is no longer at risk , he will start inventing scenarios.
As I have said before, he wants what William has . I can just imagine Meghan saying “ well your brother has 24/7 security so why shouldn’t you ?”

If Harry genuinely does live in fear of his life that must be awful. But I don’t believe such a risk exists. And if it does, it’s his to manage.

The cynic in me wonders if his desire for reconciliation is fuelled in part by a need to place himself closer to the King who has a genuinely high risk rating.

I agree that if he is genuinely afraid then it is awful but I do wonder who or what is fuelling this fear ?

Pizza delivery man comes to mind here! 🤔

I can certainly get on board with that!

Speaking more generally and not just to Ohpleeeease, I genuinely still don’t quite understand why members of the Royal household are on the RAVEC committee if it’s purely an objective assessment of security matters as everyone says, because the security people are surely the only ones qualified to make those particular decisions?

Likewise, if it’s necessary for them to attend and participate, and indeed put Harry’s case; it’s hard to see how they would not take their employer’s position ie KC3, in to account above Hazza’s! But I concede I don’t understand the ins and outs of it as many do on here,

Edited: I recall Harry did keep repeating that he wanted his father to back off so the committee could do their work without any other influence.

I think it’s fair that it is being reassessed anyway.

As for the British public not caring about Harry’s safety or caring whether he comes back to the UK, or not wanting to pay his costs, that may be the case, but I’m not sure that the overriding public view is exactly the same as is generally represented on these threads.

Many people still have Diana in mind when the subject of Royal security arises. and have sympathy with Harry over that. I think having your mother die in such a way when you are thirteen is sufficient explanation enough for Harry’s so-called paranoia, if he is indeed paranoid, without accusing him of being addled by drugs.

Another edit: And speaking very generally again, I think most people largely support the view that anyone should be able to return to the country of their birth and bring their wife and children with them, and do so in relative safety. There has been such an intense onslaught of negativity built up against Meghan by the tabloids, I honestly would fear for her safety if she returned to London. Just my opinion.

Really? You honestly think Meghan would be in serious mortal danger in the UK?

It seems that the Philippines is too dangerous for Meghan to go to too. 🙄

Indeed!
while Columbia and Nigeria are perfectly safe obviously 🙄

I am not @restlesslimbs54 but want to add the observation that Harry's position is unique. He is known globally, doesn't fulfil the criteria for IPP, and is a British citizen but not resident in the UK. The bespoke arrangement he currently has was put in place in recognition of the uniqueness. If the new risk assessments upgrade his threat level and he needs enhanced security arrangements, that will be problematic because the public will object to paying and the Home Office, rightly, has made clear that public services cannot be paid for.

As for the British public not caring about Harry’s safety or caring whether he comes back to the UK, or not wanting to pay his costs, that may be the case, but I’m not sure that the overriding public view is exactly the same as is generally represented on these threads.

The overriding public view is represented in the numerous polls that have been conducted.

Yes and all the comments under articles in the media!
they are not pretty , they are not nice, but they are a sign that the majority do not particularly like Harry or Meghan.

@Restlesslimbs54 just a quick heads up, you aren’t really supposed to edit with further thoughts that change the sense of your post, so your posts might get deleted. If you want to add something, best to start a new post and then you can be sure it will be seen.

But how can his current security arrangements be 'upgraded'?

Even as a working royal, Harry was always a 'Tier Two' individual. He was never in the category of those whose role guaranteed them security. He now lives in California and does not carry out public duties, so is no longer even at that level.

Given all the above, what more can be offered to him? His only obligation is to provide some advance notice of his visits.

@Restlesslimbs54 Do you seriously believe that Meghan (and/or the children) will ever set foot in this country again? Security provided or not.

Edited: I recall Harry did keep repeating that he wanted his father to back off so the committee could do their work without any other influence.

It doesn't matter what Harry wants.

And to repeat as you didn't seem to read my post above, Harry's objection to the membership of the RAVEC committee was thrown out by the judge. So I'm not sure why you are giving it so much weight. The bloke hasn't got a clue how the grown up world actually works.

Another edit: And speaking very generally again, I think most people largely support the view that anyone should be able to return to the country of their birth and bring their wife and children with them, and do so in relative safety.

Just checking.

You do know Harry has a special arrangement whereby his family's security needs are under continual review? Don't you?

There has been such an intense onslaught of negativity built up against Meghan by the tabloids, I honestly would fear for her safety if she returned to London. Just my opinion.

Best she stay in California then. Or maybe Columbia or Nigeria.

Thanks! Have noted!

His popularity rating is below 20%, far below the c.70% it was in 2018. That doesn't give much tolerance for public funding of a ginger toupée, let alone armed security.

There is some really hideous vitriol aimed at Meghan on sm and in the tabloids.

It’s not long ago that the murderer of Jo Cox was influenced by on-line rhetoric. It only takes one deranged person. .

I can understand Harry’s view that it’s much safer if he can spontaneously visit the uk without much notice being given. If the planning period is always 28 days ahead, that makes it very awkward if there are delays or cancellations or changes of schedule and most importantly, the details of the visit are more likely to be leaked. And that’s a security risk in itself.

But agree to differ with everyone!

Would love to see Harry’s face if he was told he is a Tier Two !