PRINCE Harry would have been safer in the UK for Prince Philip’s memorial service than he will be in Holland for the Invictus Games, his former protection officer said today.
Former Met Inspector Ken Wharfe, who worked in private protection for Harry, William and Princess Diana, said the potential risks of the contest are far greater than those the duke would face in London.
Harry, who is embroiled in a legal row with the UK Government over his police protection, was the only senior royal not to attend his grandfather’s memorial at Westminster Abbey.
He has said he doesn’t feel safe to return without officers from Scotland Yard alongside him.
The privilege was stripped from him when he decided to step back from the royal frontline, leading to his decision to sign mega-deals with Spotify and Netflix to fund security.
However, he will be flying to the Netherlands for the games, which take place between April 16 and 22.
He founded the competition to aid the rehabilitation of injured or sick military personnel and veterans from around the world.
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Mr Wharfe, who wrote a controversial tell-all book on Princess Diana after her death, told Mail Online the very nature of the event makes it a common target for terrorists because of its military links.
Police and security services in the Netherlands have refused to say whether he will get royal protection, although it’s understood to be extremely likely.
Mr Wharfe said: “I’m baffled about why Harry thinks he would be safer in the Netherlands than in the UK.
“He would have travelled to his grandfather’s memorial service with his brother or father and received protection from the Met.
“It’s not like he would have been turning up at Westminster Abbey on a bike.”
He said that in his personal view, it’s “more of a risk to go to Holland to support a charity with a military link” than attend the memorial.
Harry is taking on the Government after he was told he’d no longer be given the “same degree” of personal protective security on visits from the US, despite offering to pay for it himself.
He said he is desperate to return home with his family, but feels it’s too dangerous to risk.
It’s understood Harry wanted to bring his children Archie and Lilibet and wife Meghan back for the service. Little Lilibet is believed to have only met her British-based family over video chats.
He surprised Invictus Game Team UK competitors over a Zoom call at the weekend – and quickly found his former Sandhurst instructor in the crowd.
He told Vic Wales, who was in charge of physical training when he was a cadet, that she used to “shout” at him.
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“There she is! I can’t believe after – how many years? 15 years? – our paths are about to cross again.
“You used to shout at me so much.”
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