Prince Harry may be closer than ever to getting his taxpayer-funded protection back, and the update is already stirring outrage across Britain.
The claim comes from royal commentator Tom Sykes, who shared his take on Substack. According to him, the push to restore Harry's state-funded security detail is moving forward quietly, with support from senior figures inside government. The problem, he says, is public opinion. Only a tiny fraction of British taxpayers actually support the idea of paying for the Duke's protection.
Adding fuel to the fire is Harry's choice to return to the UK after years of publicly criticizing his home country over how his wife was treated. Many royal watchers have also pointed out that he hasn't offered any kind of apology to his brother or sister-in-law, despite repeated allegations aimed at them over the years.
Sykes, however, zeroed in on something else entirely — what he sees as King Charles quietly allowing this to happen. He argued it's simply not believable that the King isn't aware of, or involved in, this decision. In his view, the fallout will be ugly, since two people who have openly called the monarchy cruel and dishonest could end up with better security arrangements than working royals currently receive.
He also broke down just how expensive this kind of protection actually is. Round-the-clock coverage isn't a one-person job — it typically needs a rotating team of around five officers to cover shifts, holidays, and sick leave. At roughly £80,000 per officer annually, salaries alone could reach £400,000 a year. Once vehicles, overtime, and additional costs are factored in, the total bill could climb closer to £700,000 annually.
Security decisions for the royal family are usually handled by RAVEC, the official body responsible for evaluating protection needs for senior royals and other high-profile figures. Even former Home Secretary David Blunkett has suggested it would be difficult to imagine Harry and his family receiving no protection at all, a comment Sykes views as another sign the tide is turning.
Sykes didn't hold back on his warning either. He insisted the palace needs to communicate clearly and publicly about what's happening, because silence or vague messaging would make the King appear weak — something he believes the British public simply won't accept.
He predicted that public frustration could peak the moment Prince Harry and Meghan Markle land at Heathrow and are seen being escorted by police, calling it the moment tensions could boil over completely.
Key Takeaways
- Reports suggest the UK government may be quietly working to restore Prince Harry's state-funded security detail.
- Public support for the move is extremely low, with only a small percentage of Britons in favor.
- Commentator Tom Sykes claims King Charles is likely aware of and allowing the process to move forward.
- Round-the-clock royal protection could cost the UK up to £700,000 per year once all expenses are included.
- RAVEC, the official security review body, plays a key role in deciding royal protection cases.
- Experts warn public backlash could intensify once Harry and Meghan are seen with a police escort upon returning to the UK.
