Should Prince Harry get state funded security ?

[CaraVirra]

Okay, why does he want State funded security. Let’s speaks with cited facts only… and not emotion.

Prince Harry has stated clearly and in writing that he will pay for the security out of pocket.

Sources:

-Reuters-

Reuters confirmed Harry’s offer and the government’s refusal:

“Prince Harry said he had offered to personally pay for police protection for himself and his family during visits to Britain, but the UK government rejected the offer.”

-BBC-

The BBC reported that Harry’s legal team argued the refusal was procedural, not security-based:

“The Duke of Sussex offered to fund the security himself, but this was rejected because police protection cannot be paid for privately.”

-The Guardian-

The Guardian adds context that this was raised during court proceedings, not after the fact:

“Prince Harry’s lawyers said he was willing to pay for protection but was blocked by policy, not assessed threat.”

Okay so if he’s willing to pay out of pocket why won’t his own security work?

Heres why:

When Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties, the UK government… via the Home Office… removed his automatic, state-funded police protection.

That decision was made by a committee called RAVEC (Royal and VIP Executive Committee), which assesses security risk.

Harry’s argument is:

“My role changed, but my threat level didn’t.”

And on that point, he’s not wrong.

Okay, so where’s what he’s actually asking for:

He has been very explicit that he is willing to pay for security.

What the UK government refuses to allow is:

Access to armed, intelligence-briefed Metropolitan Police protection
Even on a paid basis

So why does this matter?

Private security cannot legally carry firearms in the UK
Private guards do not receive intelligence briefings
They cannot coordinate with UK counterterror or local police in real time

So this is not about luxury, it’s about safety.

Okay now. Why does harry believe there’s still a risk?:

There are several concrete factors:

He is still one of the most globally recognized people alive
His mother, Princess Diana, was killed following paparazzi pursuit
He and Meghan have received documented threats, including extremist rhetoric
His military service (Afghanistan) placed him on known threat lists
His children are high-value symbolic targets, regardless of titles

None of this evaporated because he moved to California.

Okay now because you can’t have a argument without both sides of the story lets talk about why the UK government has refused:

The official stance is:

Police protection is tied to official royal duties
Allowing people to “buy” police services could set a precedent
Security decisions must remain under state control, not personal request

This is a policy argument… not a safety argument.

So why is Harry fighting this so publically?:

Harry believes removing protection discourages others from leaving. That signals “Step outside the institution, and you’re on your own.” And it indirectly pressures him to return or stay silent.

so those are the facts. How do you feel about it?

also, if there a fact I’ve stated that you wanted cited, politely asking will do just fine.

If scarcity of police manpower and resources - a funding issue - is being used as one of the reasons for not offering Harry the security he needs

He gets the security he needs - as assessed by the experts, RAVEC

There are other people who are at risk, but I'd argue that his risk level is higher in that his Royal heritage makes him more of a target.

If it is true, that he only gets proper protection when he is invited by his family, but only someone on the end of a phone at other times, then he is right to ask for more, which is what he is doing. It could be very quickly cleared up with an official statement if Harry has misunderstood or is lying. Someone on the end of a phone is not adequate protection.

Yes I thought so! But others are arguing it’s a funding issue? So which is it?

He does get the security he needs as assessed by our Security Services, what Harry thinks he needs is irrelevant, he isn’t a security expert, feelings are not facts.

It’s a funding issue because Harry wants more than the Security Services deem necessary for his safety, therefore a waste of tax payers money and met police resources.

But if that assessment concludes that when he is here when not invited by his family, that his only security need is someone on the end of a phone, something is clearly wrong!

It’s all a moot point anyway so I really wouldn’t worry, according to recent reports Harry will now receive 24 hour armed security, presumably without giving notice, paid for by the British tax payer, so armed police officers will be on 24 hour standby at Heathrow or called in when they are on leave just in case Harry fancies popping over to see his chums or knock on a few random doors, so we can all sleep easy.

Define ‘hatred’. Are you using it in the terribly modern sense?

I didn’t have an issue with him having to give notice. I could see his point on not having adequate security when he was here when not invited by his family.

Of all the issues in the Royal family, Harry getting good security whenever he wants it, meh.

I’m much more concerned about the cover up of Andrew by the whole family, that it’s taken them so long to act to strip his titles and the fact he is still in the line of succession as highlighted in another thread. And the Royal finances in general being more transparent. And more.

Then you'll be delighted to know that's exactly the security he is already entitled to and receives.

Edit spelling

he does automatic security, the 28 days notice is correct. Prince Harry is arguing that the lack of access to real time intelligence is what makes them not enough. He wants the intel. And is willing to come out of pocket for it.

Are you saying the British Security Services and the Met Police (who provide CPP security) don't have real time intelligence, even though they are the ones who carry out the threat level assessments?

Sure Jan.

I think what you're not understanding is that Harry wants his private security team (whom he pays for all the time) to get access to MI5/MI6/Met Police security intelligence. Which will never and has never happened. You cannot have (likely) unqualified private agencies getting real time access to security intelligence. That's a threat to UK security.

His private security team always have and always will be, briefed with appropriate intelligence as they require it as it pertains to their employer. They dont get to see everything all the time, unfiltered. And if they had any sense they'd have told their employer that.

I've realised it is AI. Or someone cobbling it together with chatGPT. It's not a proper human typing.

What racism ?

As this thread is about Harry and his petulance, may i respectfully suggest you start a thread about the AMW situation?
As 99% of people agree with the view that he is a despicable person , I doubt if you will prompt much discussion !

👏👏

The thing is, some of your “facts” aren’t facts. To pick just one, Harry’s claim that his threat level didn’t change just because his role did is not fact but his opinion. He is deeply unpopular, the most unpopular blood royal of them all, behind a number of married ins, but that doesn’t represent threat.

There’s no evidence to suggest that any harm that might befall him would be due to his birth status, rather than his own abysmal conduct since leaving the institution.

Despite his unpopularity, there is no evidence of any attempt on his life since round the clock security was withdrawn, so much so that he had to stage a car chase in NYC.

The level of threat he describes is not factual.

Harry has also said that toilets talk to him. That too is documented.

However, RAVEC have gone on official record saying that no 'offer to pay' was ever received by them.

If Royal heritage is an issue then should AMW be given 24/7 armed security ? To be honest I think he is at greater risk . NOT that I have any sympathy for him whatsoever but I imagine a few people would like to ensure he ( and his ex wife) don’t blab.
Only KC, QC and the Wales family have 24/7 security .

I think the current system based on current risks and sufficient notice seems proportionate and never understood why Harry objected to this. Given the current state of public finances, it seems only fair that there is some oversight, especially when Harry and Meghan live full-time in the United States and are pursuing commercial interests.

It is unwise for Harry to push for this. If successful, his every move will be scrutinised with the inevitable headlines asking why the taxpayer is paying for his security when he is doing x, y or z. Accepting the current measures, and working to ensure they work well, would earn him much more respect.

Can I also add to your excellent post that a couple of years ago , Harry claimed that his car was chased down a London street after leaving an event . Despite thousands of CCTV cameras en route , no evidence was found .
Funny that .

The threat has been properly assessed by RAVEC op. And I agree that no one can but Met close protection - do you think he’s the only entitled arse to ever have made this request?

I think the current situation is reasonable. He gets assessed every time he comes here. So far they’ve always given it to him.

He objects to it because it’s not what William has .

Why are you quoting Harry's 'legal argument'?

His 'case' was repeatedly and comprehensively dismissed by judges, including by the highest court in the land.

And if you think British taxpayers need to pay millions a year because of Harry's choice to marry "into global celebrity culture", which presumably means attending Kardashian parties and participating in twerking videos, then really you must be having a laugh.

Not sure there's much point arguing with Ms. Chat GPT but of course random foreign security officers aren't going to get access to British intelligence. That's an obvious security risk. However, if there is a genuine threat against Harry they will be kept informed and appropriate measures will be taken, as is always the case. London is known to be a very safe city for visiting VIPs.

How does he manage in Calfornia without access to high level intelligence? That's where he spends the vast majority of his time after all. What does Co Pilot have to say about that?