Despite months having passed since he was promised a review of his security arrangements, Prince Harry is still awaiting a decision.
The delay has now been linked to the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) being occupied with protecting other high-profile officials, putting reviews such as Harry’s on hold for the time being.
Since stepping down as a senior working royal, the Duke of Sussex has been denied full taxpayer-funded police protection during his visits to the UK. A favorable outcome from the review of his security arrangements could see him regain that level of protection for future visits.
A decision on whether Harry will regain full taxpayer-funded police protection during his visits to the UK remains uncertain, with RAVEC currently focused on other pressing security demands.
At the end of last year, Harry was promised a risk management review after losing his appeal against the Home Office’s decision regarding his security. The Home Office oversees RAVEC, the committee responsible for determining such provisions for high-profile individuals.
According to The Times, the review was expected to take place in March. However, RAVEC’s need to manage protection arrangements for nine former prime ministers simultaneously has reportedly delayed any decision on Harry’s issue.
“Harry’s case is not all about Harry. It’s about a much wider situation within the police about the number of former premiers they are now protecting and fewer armed officers available,” a source told the outlet.
Security Report Details Six Alleged Terror Plots
The delay comes after a security assessment commissioned by Harry reportedly identified six alleged terrorist plots targeting the Duke of Sussex, with five originating in the UK.
The threats reportedly include an al-Qaeda document calling for his assassination, along with risks from jihadist and right-wing extremists. The report also highlighted dangers posed by lone actors, stalking incidents, and individuals displaying threatening behavior toward Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children.
The assessment further noted that, although multiple potential threats are being monitored, Harry’s safety remains at risk during visits to the UK because his privately funded security team cannot carry firearms. It also argued that his protection can only be fully addressed through state-backed security.
Prince Harry Branded Security Downgrade A ‘Stitch-Up’
In a 2025 interview with the BBC, Harry claimed that “there is a lot of control and ability” in his father King Charles’ hands when it comes to resolving the situation.
“Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him,” Harry told the outlet. “Not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing experts to do what is necessary.”
The Invictus Games founder further alleged that the downgrading of his security was “a good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up.”
In response, Buckingham Palace said that all of the issues Harry had raised “have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.”
Harry Has Softened His Stance On UK Family Visits
When Harry gave the BBC interview, he said it was unlikely he would bring his family back to the UK unless his security concerns were resolved.
However, the Duke appeared to soften that stance when he recently returned to Britain with his wife, Meghan, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The family reunited with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, marking the first time Archie and Lilibet had visited the UK in four years and the first time the King had seen his grandchildren in person since 2022.
Even so, Harry’s compromise appeared to be only a partial one. While Meghan and the children joined him for the private family reunion, they did not accompany him to his public engagements related to the Invictus Games, reflecting his continued concerns about security during visits to the UK.
Prince Harry Refuses To Drop Security Fight
In the meantime, Harry has no plans to abandon his efforts to regain full police protection in the UK.
Central to that effort is his push for RAVEC to carry out the promised Risk Management Board assessment, which would evaluate the threats against him. Harry has previously argued that he has not undergone such a review for several years, despite his understanding that it is supposed to be conducted annually.
“He will pursue it until RAVEC agree to enact the terms of reference that were made clear in front of a judge in the judicial review. It’s about the Home Office doing what they committed to in court,” a source told Hello! Magazine.