Prince Harry’s long-running fight to restore his official, armed security in the UK, appears to be turning a corner. People Magazine reported that there are “positive” signals coming from the British government about reinstating Harry’s taxpayer-funded protection when he visits the country. While nothing is final yet, insiders say there is growing optimism that his security cover will be upgraded.
The shift follows reports that an official review has concluded the Duke of Sussex meets the criteria for inclusion in the UK’s highest level of protective security.
A key review behind the scenes
After years of legal battles and campaigning, including a high-profile court case he ultimately lost, Harry was granted a full-scale security review in December. That review involved an official risk assessment by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec.
Ravec is responsible for deciding who qualifies for state-funded protection and includes representatives from the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police, and the royal household.
On January 4, The Mail on Sunday reported that the committee had determined Harry met the threshold for top-tier security. A source close to the duke was quoted as saying, “It’s now a formality. Sources at the Home Office have indicated that security is nailed on for Harry.”
According to those familiar with the process, unless there is last-minute opposition, Harry is expected to regain the armed guards and institutional support he had while serving as a working royal.
Why security matters so much to Harry
Harry has been clear about what’s at stake. He has repeatedly said that without official security, he does not feel safe bringing his family to the UK.
That includes his wife, Meghan Markle, 44, and their two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, who are being raised in California. A reversal of the security decision could finally allow the children to travel to Britain and spend time with their grandfather, King Charles.
Security concerns intensified after it emerged that a female stalker came within feet of Harry on two occasions during a charity visit to the UK in September 2025.
How it all unraveled, and restarted
Harry lost his full-time security after he and Meghan stepped back from frontline royal duties in 2020. In May 2025, he lost an appeal challenging that decision. During the case, it emerged that neither he nor his family had undergone a formal security assessment since 2019.
But the issue didn’t end there. In October 2025, Harry made another push, this time directly appealing to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, who oversees policing and crime prevention in Britain. Two months later, the full-scale Ravec review was officially launched.
In a BBC interview in May, following the loss of his appeal, Harry suggested that his father could potentially influence the outcome, despite repeated denials from the palace that King Charles, 77, has any authority over security decisions.
What happens next
Harry is expected back in the UK later this month for a court appearance related to his legal claim against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, and MailOnline.
The government, however, is staying tight-lipped. A spokesperson said in a statement: “The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”
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