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

It’s a brilliant cost saving solution @BemusedAmericanbut let’s put that idea quietly away. I don’t think any of us wants Harry or Meghan to have a gun.

Yes, especially as private security guards have no special rights or privileges. Unlike the police or Secret Service, they have to comply with the gun laws of the state they are in, or be subject to prosecution. Just like any other private citizen.

And of course the advantages of having an armed guard are cancelled out by the fact that pretty much any weirdo can have a gun in America.

As I said above, the whole 'security' caboodle is down to his resentment of his home country and jealousy of his brother. If it were genuinely about security, he would be campaigning for state sponsored, intelligence driven security in the country where he spends the vast majority of his time. But this has never been about security.

As I said above, the whole 'security' caboodle is down to his resentment of his home country and jealousy of his brother. If it were genuinely about security, he would be campaigning for state sponsored, intelligence driven security in the country where he spends the vast majority of his time. But this has never been about security.

Exactly.

If it were, he would be doing as you suggest, alongside:
-not announcing trips in advance
-not knocking on strangers doors
-not ordering takeaway delivery to a friend's home
-not talking about 'kill counts' in a book
-staying in the most secure accommodation he could in the UK (royal residences) rather than refusing and staying in hotels

People who are serious about security (including people I know) are consistent in their habits.

I imagine it feels hugely different on many levels when you go from two car minimum convoys with traffic held for you, highly trained security officers opening doors and preclearing any places you are going, to - well I was going to say a more ordinary life, except H&M still have A-list celebrity levels of bodyguard and staff.

It's definitely not about security, it's about the loss of prestige of the high profile diplomatic life.

Agree @wordler - and I can totally understand how it would be difficult in many ways. I could have sympathy if it weren't for the tantrumy court cases.

I just think he hasn't any real concept of security or he wouldn't do the things he does. People I know who work in jobs that come with security risks don't act like that.

@wordler - and @bluegreygreen I do think you both have really salient points here. My interpretation is, Harry can't come to terms with not being important. He's rich beyond most people's wildest dreams , he has a family he wanted , he is famous , he is still feted in some quarters. But when it comes down to it , his importance is only as 2nd son to KCIII , which has been less important for a good few years now. & I think that is what he is struggling to come to terms with . He really isn't that important now in the grand scheme of things.

I would argue that it isn’t just not being important but the deference is what he misses, although to be fair he probably doesn’t understand what that means, just the affect.

Well, now he's apparently hiring himself out for dinners. I doubt he is a scintillating conversationalist, and you are stuck with his security looming around, too.

Ha ha @BemusedAmerican If I had the money , I'd pay good money not to be seated with H&M. Perhaps a business venture for them. Luckily I don't have the money and don't mix in such rarified circles , so not a problem for me 😂

I was out with 12 people last night. A large group. One of them (not me 🤣) brought up the Sussexes and thought they should have security. About half the group thought they should get it. 2 unsure. Rest was a No.

It must be difficult knowing that you were brought into the world to be an understudy for a role nobody wants you to have. That no matter what you do, nobody will ever be more impressed with you than they are with your older sibling, just for existing.

You would think by now this might have been anticipated and a proper role worked out for the Spare, if only so they don’t go off and make unsuitable marriages for want of enough attention.

I read something on MN a while ago that the poster thought the problem was that Diana treated her children equally, and led them to believe they were of equal importance. That for most families, that is good parenting, but due to the nature of our monarchy, it’s really bad parenting to let your children feel equal to each other when as soon as they become adults they won’t be and you will expect your younger children to be deferential to their older sibling.

The poster pondered if William and Kate are making the same mistake, letting Louis and Charlotte feel equal to George, or are they being taught that George is more important than them, and they should put what’s best for him first.

George is already singled out for certain things, so I think W and C are onto that. And they have three children, Charlotte and Louis being more equal in status.

I think it’s high time Harry took responsibility for his own life and stopped complaining about how everyone has failed him, but I do think that in amongst all the waaaah he has a point sometimes.

But they have security ! The issue is that it’s not the security that Harry wants .

Yes I know that. I did try to say that but some were not to be moved.. they were certain Harry didn’t get security 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think fwiw Harry didn't ever learn that yes he was as loved and important as W (in his family) but he had a different role . A supporting role which would have its own benefits. And BTW being 2nd son of the King is pretty far up the tree as far as privilege goes - all but one. My impression is H doesn't appreciate his privillege , he just sees those more privileged than he. But detective Hindsight solves all crimes 😂

Harry called his book Spare years after he ceased to be the spare. He is stuck emotionally both as a grieving child and a resentful teen. It's toxic and sad.

If I was daft enough to spend £100k to have dinner with them, I'd be the one calling the tune. .where we went and what we talked about. None of this drippy word salad stuff, they'd have to listen to me going on about stuff that matters to me (AND nod in all the right places) and I'd be back home in my pj's by 10pm - he who pays the piper etc etc.

I like your style. Should we set up a GoFundMe and buy a table?

It's not about being more or less important as an individual and family member.

In this day and age there isn't the expectation of needing a spare or spares.

It's more about different roles - William couldn't have gone into the army, and Harry seems to have valued that part of his life.

I think he was protected from realism about his abilities. He was shielded from reality, helped to pass his A levels, and apparently given preferential treatment in the army. Long term that hasn't helped him. I hope these days it would be more acceptable to be open when a child isn't academic, and there are a greater variety of roles considered acceptable.

That calls to mind that his mum wanted H to go to Eton because otherwise people would think he was thick. Well as Denis Thatcher and other have said "better remain silent and people think you are an idiot than open your mouth and remove all doubt" I think (Detective Hindsight) Harry may have got on very well at Gordontsoun. But not my child , not my choice. I do think some well intentioned protection may not have done H any favours. But I would say , most thinking people realise their privilege - if they have it - whatever that might be.

I had dinner with some fellow NYers a few weeks ago. They felt very strongly that the US should not provide him with paid security. We had a revolution here almost 250 years ago. One person commented that no one thinks about Harry so why does he need security?

Sadly Diana was probably dealing with her own issues around her academic abilities. She had so many talents, especially in being able to connect with people. It shouldn't have mattered that she struggled academically, or that Harry did. He should have been able to - of course do his best academically - develop his individual strengths. B

Unfortunately that's the UK system, for rich and poor alike. There is very little recognition of vocational skills.

In fairness, just because most people aren't interested in Harry doesn't in itself mean he doesn't need security. There could be threats about which the public is completely unaware. Luckily for Harry, however, RAVEC are keeping his security under continual review and I have no doubt that if they were to discover any major threats, any relevant information would be passed on to their American counterparts.

None of that means that Harry is important enough to require automatic security however. He can manage with a privately hired bodyguard, just like any other celebrity who visits New York.

Agree @BasiliskStare and @Baital - it's possible to be loved equally as a family member and yet have a different role in the family business. Thousands of less important people than the royals manage this (farmers being just one example that springs to mind).

It may be some decisions around Harry's upbringing (for example his education) weren't the best. I'm sure they were made with the best of intentions, as with most parents. I do think when you reach your 40s you need to take some responsibility for your own decision-making, rather than blaming everything on your childhood.