Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s family faces the threat of “far right extremists and terrorists” in the UK, which could garner public sympathy amid his security struggles, a Royal commentator has suggested.
The Duke of Sussex has recently won the right to challenge the High Court’s ruling on the level of protection he and his family should be afforded while in Britain, a decision that is made on a case-by-case basis. His legal team confirmed that Harry has been granted permission to appeal, leading the Court of Appeal to schedule a hearing for his case.
This move comes after the Home Office stripped him of his automatic personal police security upon his return to the UK in February 2020.
Before opting out of Royal duties and moving to California with Meghan Markle in March 2020, Harry enjoyed the same full publicly-funded security as other senior members of the Royal Family. Nonetheless, after stepping down, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) concluded in April that Harry would no longer receive the same level of security as before.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams highlighted the serious threats Harry and his family face when they are in the UK. He believes that not only does it mean there is a possibility that Harry see a favourable outcome in his ongoing legal fight for protection, but he might also find empathy from the British public.
Mr Fitzwilliams told the Mirror: “His attempt to pay personally for extra police protection, has the obvious disadvantage that it would create a two-tier system and, as expected, failed in court. However, he is haunted by what happened to his mother and there is a threat by far-right extremists to him and his family. The granting of full taxpayer-funded protection for those who are not full-time working royals is likely to be difficult to obtain, but in his particular case, there will be some sympathy for what he sees as his predicament.”
He added: “It may well be that it is ruled that he and his family could be included in the ‘Other VIP Category’, but the legal costs of his appeal will be substantial. Threat by far-right extremists and terrorists too.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have been at the centre of Royal controversy since their dramatic exit from frontline Royal duties in 2020 and subsequent relocation to the United States.
Their candid revelations, especially during an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, their revealing Netflix docu-series in 2022, and the much-anticipated release of Harry’s memoir in 2023, have only intensified the rift with the Royal Family, casting a long shadow over their relationship with the monarchy.
Royal writer and expert Tom Quinn previously said: “Over the years that Harry has complained about his treatment by his family he has had just one aim – to get an apology and to see his father and brother make amends. Harry just can’t see that complaining in private might work; complaining publicly just makes things worse and in Harry’s case that means more and more ties to his past being severed.”
