Prince Harry’s latest move could “clear the way” for him to bring his children, Archie and Lilibet, to the UK, a veteran royal commentator has suggested.
The Duke of Sussex has lodged a new request with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to have his taxpayer-funded security reinstated.
In May, he suffered a bruising legal defeat after his High Court appeal over the decision was thrown out.
Following the decision, the prince declared in a TV interview that he could no longer: “See a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK.”
Despite the court’s ruling, veteran royal expert Jennie Bond admitted that Harry “has a point” over he and his family’s security needs.
“As the King’s son and as a former army officer, Harry clearly is a target,” she explained.
Prince Harry has petitioned Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to have his taxpayer funded security reinstated
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“I’m not suggesting he should have taxpayer-funded security when he has chosen to live in the United States, but when he is in the United Kingdom, it doesn’t seem too much to ask to have security provided by the Metropolitan Police,” Ms Bond shared.
The former BBC royal correspondent stressed that such a move would presumably assuage the Duke of Sussex’s concerns about bringing his family to the UK.
“If there were to be an upgrade to his security arrangements, it could clear the way for him to bring his children – and his wife if she wanted to come – to visit the family back home,” the commentator explained.
“And that would be something very special for our elderly monarch,” she said of reuniting the King with his grandchildren.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond has suggested this could ‘clear the way’ for Archie and Lilibet to come to the UK
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As such, Ms Bond explained: “I can quite understand why he wants to put his case to the Home Secretary and see what can be done during any future visits to the UK.”
“After all, as Harry himself has pointed out, former Prime Ministers are given life-long protection. I think the RAVEC committee should do as he asks: re-assess his risk level and take appropriate action,” she advised while speaking with The Mirror.
However, the veteran commentator warned all this could be spoiled if the duke were to directly involve the King in his quest.
“Harry would do well to avoid drawing his father into his dispute, as that does put the King in a very difficult position,” she cautioned.
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Earlier this month, a source close to Harry said: “I can confirm that the duke has written to the new Home Secretary asking for a risk management board to be conducted.”
The insider added: “While he realises this will not be top of the incoming secretary’s in-tray it is something which should have happened a long time ago.”
“We have had the can kicked down the road for quite a while now but all he’s asking is for Ravec to abide by its own rules which state that an RMB should be conducted each year. The last one for the duke was in 2019,” they told The Times.
The Home Office confirmed they had received a petition from the Duke of Sussex but maintained their policy of not discussing individual security cases to protect those involved.
“The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security,” a spokesman said.
