Prince Harry is facing delays in finalizing his security arrangements in the UK as authorities focus on safeguarding nine former Prime Ministers.
The Duke of Sussex was informed that a risk management board would assess whether he should receive automatic protection during his visits to the UK, with the review initially scheduled for March by an independent body. However, the review has been postponed.
The delay is partly attributed to challenges in providing high-level security for politicians, including the nine ex-Prime Ministers. To manage the situation, officials have implemented a temporary pause for approximately four months.
According to a source familiar with the Risk Management Board process, there are concerns about the Home Office’s decision to halt Risk Management Boards due to reported backlogs. The source emphasized the importance of these assessments in ensuring the safety of public figures and highlighted the potential risks posed by suspending security evaluations.
The source further raised issues regarding underfunding and overstretching of protective security measures in the country. There are reports of highly trained protection officers being reassigned to other policing duties, raising questions about the adequacy of protective security resources.
Following his decision to step back from his royal duties, Prince Harry was informed that he would no longer receive automatic police security. He is now required to provide advance notice before each visit to the UK, with his security status subject to evaluation.
During his recent visits to the UK, Prince Harry has not been granted full security protection. Additionally, he lost a legal battle against the Home Office in May of last year.