Ravec, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, has carried out a new risk assessment and concluded that Prince Harry now meets the criteria for official police protection. The decision follows renewed concerns about his safety during visits to Britain.
Court Battle and Initial Setback
King Charles’ youngest son attended a two-day court hearing last May, where his legal team argued that his life was at risk without state-backed security. At the time, Harry, now 41, lost his case after Ravec ruled that he was no longer entitled to police protection because he is not a working member of the royal family.
Following that ruling, Harry was said to be “devastated” and accused the Royal Household of having influenced the outcome.
Stalker Incidents Raise Alarm
In September, the Invictus Games founder wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood after a stalker managed to get within a “stone’s throw” of him during a visit to London, according to The Independent.
The individual, who had previously issued online threats, breached a “secure zone” while Harry was attending an event for the children’s charity WellChild. Notably, this incident occurred on a day when the Duke had been granted police protection.
Just two days later, during a separate visit to Imperial College London, the same stalker reportedly attempted to approach Harry again and was stopped by a member of his private security team.
These incidents are understood to have prompted Ravec to initiate the new risk assessment.
Long-Standing Safety Concerns
Prince Harry has consistently argued that he and his family — wife Meghan Markle, 44, and their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4 — are unsafe in the UK without police protection. He has cited persistent online abuse and intense media scrutiny as key factors behind those concerns.
Harry and Meghan stepped back from senior royal duties in January 2020 and now live in California.
The couple have also faced recent changes within their professional circle. James Holt, their longest-serving staff member, is departing from their charity, Archewell. In addition, they recently parted ways with their publicist, Meredith Maines, after less than a year in the role.
