Prince Harry stalker scare means he's 'nailed on' to be given armed police guards for UK visits, insiders claim
A ruling in the duke's favour, expected to be announced within weeks, could allow for a reunion between King Charles and his grandchildren Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, who live in the US.
By CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, MAIL ON SUNDAY
Published: 23:00 GMT, 3 January 2026 | Updated: 01:52 GMT, 4 January 2026
Prince Harry has won his fight for automatic taxpayer-funded armed police protection when he visits the UK, according to sources close to the Sussexes.
A ruling in the duke's favour, expected to be announced within weeks, could allow for a reunion between King Charles and his grandchildren Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, who live in the US.
Sources close to the Sussexes told The Mail on Sunday that the reinstatement of armed security has been assured after a fresh risk assessment was carried out for the royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec). They said: 'It's now a formality. Sources at the Home Office have indicated that security is now nailed on for Harry.'
The decision to reassess the risk followed a letter the duke wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in September calling for such a reappraisal.
Harry was provided with police protection for one day only on a trip to the UK that month, for a children's charity event.
A female stalker, who had previously made threats online, was able to access a secure zone there. Harry was said to have felt 'abandoned' two days later when – without police protection – the same woman got within 'a stone's throw' of him at another engagement and attempted to approach him.
It fell to a member of the duke's private staff, who was ex-Army, to step in and protect him. His timely intervention, where he managed to body-block the woman, was one of several security lapses that were included as evidence to be flagged to the risk management board which advises Ravec.
The duke, 41, has consistently argued that the UK is not safe for him and his family to visit without 24-hour armed protection.
Prince Harry (pictured) will receive automatic taxpayer-funded armed police protection when he visits the UK, according to sources close to the Sussexes
The duke, 41, has consistently argued that the UK is not safe for him, his wife Meghan Markle (right) and his children to visit without 24-hour armed protection
His lawyers have argued that the withdrawal of security has left his life 'at stake'.
In the letter, he asked Ravec, a Home Office committee, to 'abide by its own rules', which state that the risk-management board should assess each member of the Royal Family and other qualifying VIPs every year.
Harry's last risk assessment was carried out in 2020, before he withdrew from royal duties. In May last year he lost a High Court battle that would automatically reinstate police protection but a fresh review was carried out last month.