It is understood that the Metropolitan Police “acted on their own initiative” to offer Prince Harry protection during his visit to London earlier this month while he was in the capital for the WellChild Awards. The Daily Mail reported that officers contacted Harry’s representatives ahead of his arrival for the high-profile ceremony on September 8 to offer him protection for that day.
It has further been reported that the Met’s decision was made without the involvement of either the Home Office or the Royal Family. Instead, the decision was based on the highly publicised nature of the event and the fact that many children would be present.
A source said: “The police took it upon themselves to arrange security for him on the first day of his visit to the UK. That included scoping the place out, checking the building, having police protection outside and crowd control.”
The source added: “But the real reason he was given that protection is because there were children there, and the event had been trailed for a really long time, so the security risk was much higher.
“What Harry needs is proper protection and blue lights when he’s in town. After that night he was left to fend for himself. He had to provide his own security. If people knew the kind of threats he’s been getting they’d be horrified that he’s left alone in the UK.”
Harry was engaged in a long-running legal challenge, which he eventually lost against the Home Office regarding his security when he’s in the UK. Harry argued that concerns about safety had prevented him from coming back to the UK with his family and that his change in status within the Royal Family did not change the risk he faced.
Ravec, the committee which authorises security for senior royals on behalf of the Home Office, will continue to assess his security needs as an infrequent visitor to the UK on a ‘case-by-case’ basis.
The Duke arrived in the UK on September 8 to attend the WellChild, before attending other engagements in London and Nottingham. He also spent 55 minutes having tea with King Charles at Clarence House – their first face-to-face meeting in 19 months.
It has previously been reported that the King and other senior royals have been invited to Harry’s Invictus Games when it is held in Birmingham in 2027.
The source also told the Daily Mail: “Harry really hopes that he and his dad will be standing on stage with his wife and kids at Invictus, but he is still stuck on the security issue – they are still at a stalemate over that. He’s really hoping the boss of Ravec will review his security.”
Express.co.uk has approached the Metropolitan Police for comment.