Prince Harry's legal battle to restore taxpayer-funded police protection during visits to the United Kingdom has revived internal concern at Buckingham Palace over the potential release of a second tell-all memoir, according to multiple British media reports. His recent comments, interpreted by insiders as a "veiled threat," have unsettled royal aides amid ongoing tension with the Duke of Sussex.
Following a two-day court hearing in London, Harry, 40, gave his first interview to a U.K. publication since 2023, telling The Daily Telegraph, "People would be shocked by what's being held back." He added that his "worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and that's really sad."
The remarks, delivered in the midst of Harry's appeal against the 2023 judicial review that denied him full police protection, sparked fears among palace aides that the Duke may retaliate with further disclosures. "This is clearly intensely personal. There are fears about what he might do if the decision goes against him. This could not come at a worse time," a source told The Sun.
The Duke has challenged the decision that downgraded his security after he stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California with his wife, Meghan Markle. He has argued the new "bespoke" security system - which assesses each visit individually - leaves him exposed.
A source speaking to The Sun said, "There's a lot of worry that Harry could tell all in a book deal or even follow Meghan's lead and make a podcast. He's hinted he has discovered secrets during the hearings - particularly regarding the treatment of him and Meghan - that would shock us all. It is a veiled threat essentially that he will tell all if it doesn't go the way he wants it to."
The case has emphasized the rift between Prince Harry and King Charles III, with reports suggesting Harry believes the monarch could intervene due to the involvement of his private secretary in security-related matters.
Harry previously stated in his memoir Spare that more content had been withheld. "It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out," he said in a 2023 interview.
The ongoing dispute has also led to questions over Harry's legal arguments. His lawyers have stated he was "forced to step down" because of a lack of protection, but Harry later claimed his security was removed to prevent him from leaving the Royal Family.
The Duke's latest visit to the U.K. did not include a meeting with his father. King Charles, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, reportedly has not seen his son in 14 months.
Palace aides are reportedly bracing for more revelations if the appeal fails. As one insider put it to The Sun, "This is clearly intensely personal."
