By Niamh Spence
Prince Harry will still be given royal protection when he visits the UK, especially in two major security threats are present according to a former royal security expert.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, former head of royal protection Dai Davies has explained which security threats would see protection stepped up for the Duke by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) when he visits the UK.
Davies told the Mirror: "It's been years since I was on the job, but the basics remain the same. It isn't rocket science, and you have to move with the times and that threat can change, but the biggest threat clearly comes from terrorism and those who are mentally ill which are referred to as 'fixated persons'."
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Davies also elaborated as he revealed that Harry will still return to his home country despite losing his court battle last month. "He won't be put off, his Chief of Protection appears to be an ex-Sergeant in royalty protection and is obviously highly trained. The other thing is even if he [Harry] doesn't have armed protection, he will get the liaison structure that would go with it," explained Davies.
He continued: "In other words, as far as it's humanly possible if RAVEC decided through intelligence - and they get the best intelligence there is - after this furore over his protection, you can rest assured they have gone over it. They have stood by it, the government has stood by it, and the Home Office. It's nothing personal, and as a former professional, I would apply those principles of, 'Is it necessary and does the intelligence warrant it?' Every time he's been here of late, to see his father or royalty, he's had royalty protection."
Last month saw Harry lose his security battle against the Home Office and RAVEC at the UK High Court. The Duke had been trying to overturn a ruling which saw his security status downgraded after he stopped being a "working royal", as he cited concerns over his safety and that of his wife and two young children. Harry's legal team had previously claimed he was "singled out" and treated "less favourably" by RAVEC, with Harry’s barrister Shaheed Fatima KC last month telling the High Court: "The claimant’s consistent position has been, and remains, that he should be given state security in light of the threats/risks he faces."
Following High Court ruling, details of Harry's case have been made public - including his fears for his family when he visits Britain. Much of the legal proceedings surrounding the case, which covered security arrangements for senior figures, were held in private in December, with the ruling issued by retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane last month. After the decision ruled against him, the Duke revealed he plans to appeal the decision.
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