Prince Harry appears close to regaining automatic, taxpayer-funded armed police protection in the United Kingdom, a development that would mark a sharp reversal of the security decision that has defined his post-royal relationship with the British state since 2020.
People familiar with the process say a recent internal review by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, the body responsible for assessing threats to senior figures, has concluded that the Duke of Sussex now meets the threshold for full protective coverage during UK visits. Officials involved in the process have indicated that reinstatement is effectively settled, subject only to procedural finalisation.
The shift follows years of legal and administrative disputes that began after Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from frontline royal duties. At that point, the Home Office ruled that Harry would no longer receive automatic armed police protection funded by the public when visiting Britain, instead requiring case-by-case assessment.
Prince Harry challenged that decision through the courts, arguing that the change exposed him and his family to unacceptable risk. In May 2025, he lost a key appeal, later describing the outcome as "a good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up," a remark that underscored his belief that institutional bias had shaped the process.
Since then, however, the security landscape has shifted. According to people briefed on the review, Ravec examined new intelligence, threat assessments and recent incidents involving Harry's movements. Central to the reassessment was a stalking episode during a UK visit in September 2025, when a woman reportedly gained close physical access to Harry at a public engagement. A second encounter days later was reportedly prevented only through intervention by a private security guard.
Those incidents were cited internally as evidence that existing arrangements were insufficient, particularly given Harry's profile and the attention surrounding his appearances. Under the revised assessment, Harry would again qualify for armed Metropolitan Police protection, provided standard notice requirements are met.
Under current rules, the duke must give at least 30 days' notice ahead of UK travel to allow security planning. However, reinstatement would mean police protection is no longer discretionary or negotiated on a visit-by-visit basis, significantly reducing uncertainty around travel.
The potential implications extend beyond logistics. Harry has repeatedly said he would not bring his wife or children to Britain without formal police protection, a stance that has kept Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet away from the UK since 2022. A change in security status would remove what has been the central obstacle to family visits.
Behind the scenes, palace watchers say the development could also affect Harry's relationship with King Charles III, particularly as the monarch continues cancer treatment and limits public engagements. Family meetings have been sporadic, in part because of travel constraints tied to security concerns.
The Home Office has declined to comment on the specifics of the case, citing long-standing policy. "The UK Government's protective security system is rigorous and proportionate," a Home Office spokesperson said, adding that details are not disclosed because doing so could compromise safety.
Representatives for the Duke of Sussex have also declined to comment, describing the matter as operationally sensitive. While no formal announcement has been made, officials involved in the process say the direction of travel is clear.
