By Ben Kerrigan-
The security arrangements of Prince Harry while visiting the United Kingdom are under formal review, according to new government sources. The decision follows a letter from the Duke of Sussex to the newly appointed Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, in which he requested a fresh threat assessment.
Since stepping back from active royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry has lost his entitlement to automatic, taxpayer-funded armed police protection during trips to the UK. Instead, security was downgraded to a “case-by-case” basis under RAVEC , the body responsible for safeguarding royals and VIPs.
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In May 2025, the court of appeal rejected his challenge against that decision, ruling that the committee’s “bespoke” security process did not amount to unlawful or irrational treatment. The ruling followed a High Court decision from 2024.
Prince Harry has since that ruling described the outcome as a stitch up from the establishment, adding that he had been told this from a reliable source.
The newly launched review marks the first full reassessment of his threat level since 2020. Reports indicate that RAVEC’s Risk Management Board (RMB) will undertake the fresh evaluation, this time independent of ministerial involvement.
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A final determination is expected in the coming weeks a development that could reshape security provisions for the royal family.
The decision to reconsider Prince Harry’s security status comes amid mounting concern for his safety and renewed public debate around state-funded protection for former working royals. After the 2025 court loss, the Duke described it as an “establishment stitch-up,” arguing the case-by-case arrangement made it “impossible” to bring his wife and children back to the UK safely.
During legal proceedings, his legal team maintained that RAVEC had failed to follow its own procedures by bypassing a formal risk-management assessment. The lawyers argued that the bespoke process amounted to “unjustified and inferior treatment,” particularly when threats from extremist groups such as al-Qaeda had reportedly targeted the Duke.
Despite the court’s ruling, the security environment facing high-profile public figures remains volatile. The renewed review suggests authorities believe risk levels may have changed since the original 2020 assessment possibly due to shifting global threats, media scrutiny, or new intelligence.
Public opinion appears divided. Recent polling indicates a majority of Britons believe Prince Harry should receive some form of police protection when in the UK, although only a minority support full taxpayer-funded security. Many favor protection provided at the Duke’s own expense.
Officials have stressed that the UK’s protective security system remains “rigorous and proportionate,” and declined to comment on the details of the review, citing standard policy around confidentiality.
Supporters of Prince Harry argue that children and distant relatives often visit public figures, and in past years his family has faced genuine danger a reality that justified continuous protection, particularly for his two young children. Opponents counter that stepping back from active royal duties implied a change in status, and that public funds should not underwrite private visits.
Those close to the Duke believe the new threat assessment could pave the way to a reversal of policy allowing renewed, consistent security, and potentially enabling his family’s return to Britain.
The outcome could have wider implications beyond one household. Ministers and royal advisers reportedly expect the review’s findings to influence how security protections are allocated to former royals, public figures and VIPs, sparking questions about precedence, fairness, and cost both financial and reputational.
RAVEC’s Risk Management Board is now assessing evidence from multiple sources, including police intelligence, reports of past threats, and details provided by Prince Harry’s team. A verdict is expected imminently.
If the review reinstates 24-hour police protection, it may facilitate visits to the UK with his family potentially allowing private, quiet reunions with relatives, and giving the Duke greater reassurance when travelling. Many believe such a move could ease some of the tension surrounding his UK appearances, including past confrontations with the media and security breaches during public engagements.
Even if the review does not fully restore previous protections, any revised security framework may outline clearer rules and risk criteria for former royals and other high-profile individuals. That could set a precedent for transparent, consistent security decisions and help recalibrate public expectation about what constitutes necessary protection in Britain today.
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