Prince Harry may cancel UK visit after police protection refusal

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, is reportedly reconsidering plans for a family visit to the United Kingdom next month after his request for state-funded police protection was rejected.

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were preparing for their first trip to Britain as a family in four years to attend events connected to the Invictus Games, scheduled to take place in Birmingham in July. Harry had expressed excitement about his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, reuniting with their grandfather, King Charles.

However, the family's travel plans are now uncertain following the government's refusal to grant his request for police security outside royal residences. A government spokesperson stated that the UK's protective security system is rigorous and proportionate, and details are not disclosed to maintain integrity and security.

Sources indicate Harry was "distraught" by the decision, made shortly before their planned arrival. This follows a legal challenge Harry lost last year against the Home Office concerning automatic police protection while in the UK. He had previously argued that it was unsafe to bring his family without such security.

Harry has since undergone a full risk assessment and awaited a final decision from the royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec), which is responsible for authorizing such protection. Ravec decisions are made independently, with input from the royal household, Home Office, Cabinet Office, and Metropolitan Police. The home secretary does not influence individual Ravec decisions.

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The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our longstanding policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.