Prince Harry issues bombshell statement on UK return | Royal | News
Prince Harry’s spokesman has issued an impassioned statement in response to multiple reports about the duke’s safety when he returns to the UK next week. After his offer to take increased security measures was rejected, he promised to consider ‘all options’ to allow his wife and children to come with him.
The King has offered his son to stay at the royal residence during his trip, and the Sussexes have confirmed they will take up the offer for part of their stay. However, it was later revealed that no such confirmation was made to the Palace. The Sun later reported that Harry felt it was unsafe to bring his children to the UK after being told no armed guards would be allowed during his stay.
However, it was understood that the trip would continue as planned and no changes were made to the route. Harry very much hopes to bring his wife and children as he originally planned. The Duke’s spokesman said Harry was continuing to look at “every available option” to “ensure the visit proceeds safely”.
They said in a statement: “Prince Harry’s program in the UK includes both public and private activities across the country. Safe accommodation is only one element of an effective preventive security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.”
“There has never been a compromise. The issue is whether appropriate and proportionate protective security was provided for the entirety of the visit. The independent Risk Management Board that RAVEC decided was necessary last November has still not been established. It is therefore difficult to see how the proportionality of existing arrangements can be reliably maintained without this independent assessment.”
“The Duke continues to explore every option available to ensure the visit proceeds safely and gives his children the opportunity to enjoy the UK.”
Harry has faced a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK after his level of protection changed when he left his job as a royal employee in 2020.
The Duke cited his family’s safety concerns as the reason for his inability to bring his family to the UK, but his concerns appear to have been eased with reports claiming the Sussexes have been reassured.
However, sources emphasized that all security-related issues were for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to decide and that the King played no role in the process and did not take any special initiative.
Seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet were married to Queen Elizabeth II. It has been four years since they last saw their grandfather, the King, in person, during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
