PRINCE Harry’s police protection row is the latest in a series of headaches for the Queen – but is undoubtedly flanked by a number of deeper issues.
The Duke of Sussex plans to sue the Government to give him back the protection he lost after quitting royal duties.
He is seeking round-the-clock police protection — normally reserved for royals and government officials — when he and his US-based family visit the UK.
And the duke says he and his family won’t return to British soil until it is safe enough to do so.
Sources have said the Queen “won’t cave to Harry’s demands” while others have said the matter is one for the Government.
But a number of deep issues remain, with royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams describing the row as a “little more complicated than is being made out”.
ROYAL RIFT REMAINS
Harry has been viewed as a private citizen since he quit royal life two years ago – meaning he has to provide his own security protection when he visits the UK.
The duke was given security when he attended Prince Philip’s funeral last April, but has not been provided with protection since.
Although he has offered to pay for police bodyguards, insiders insist The Met is not a “private force”.
And despite the Queen having little control over the situation, others suggest it is odd the royals are unable to reach a compromise for Harry.
Mr Fitzwilliams told The Celeb Report Online: “The issue is a little more complicated than is being made out, in my opinion.
“Especially as there was an incident with the paparazzi in the summer and also given how emotionally Harry was affected by what happened to his mother.
“We have to bare in mind that we are where we are – there is a deep rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the family and it has not, from all the information we have, been resolved.”
It comes after Harry’s security was compromised last summer, when paparazzi chased his car as he left a charity event.
Mr Fitzwilliams added: “Technicalities are one thing, but it’s very important that the sixth in line for the throne isn’t involved in a judicial suit against the Government.
“It doesn’t involve the Queen but it doesn’t look good. I’m sure there are ways of settling this sort of thing – it hasn’t happened before and it shouldn’t happen now.”
QUEEN WON’T BACK DOWN
It’s been said the Queen will not help her grandson’s fight — thought to be the first legal action of its kind – largely because it’s something she has little control over.
Royal author Phil Dampier said it’s ultimately “not up to the Queen” while the police “don’t generally look after VIPs” because it would “set a precedent” for other well-known stars.
But as Prince Andrew’s legal battle reaches boiling point at the same time as Harry fights for UK security, it’s likely the Queen will be keen to avoid further drama.
A royal source told The Celeb Report yesterday: “This is not a matter for Her Majesty. She certainly won’t cave in to his demands.
“It is a matter for Her Majesty’s government. Who gets protection is not a gift the Queen can decide to give or take away.”
Another added: “[Harry’s] demands for security in the UK have not been openly or widely discussed within the family because it was thought sorted two years ago.
“Quite frankly, with the Queen’s health concerns and Prince Andrew facing a sex-abuse trial, a battle between her grandson and the Government is the last thing she wants to get drawn into.”
HARRY STILL HURT
Meanwhile, Harry has spoken openly about the hurt and damage royal life caused him since quitting the Firm two years ago.
Speaking in his documentary The Me You Can’t See, Harry addressed traumatic memories from his childhood – including the moment he was photographed with his brother, uncle and grandfather walking behind Diana’s coffin at her funeral.
Understandably, the prince has feared the safety and privacy of his family ever since, even suggesting critics “won’t stop until Meghan dies”.
Richard Fitzwilliams said: “We know that after the tragic death of his mother, he’s talked about his emotional vulnerability and how that’s effected him whenever he hears the click of the camera it reminds him of that.
“Security kept coming up again and again in the Oprah interview.”
Mr Fitzwilliams added: “It is also the look of this.
“Given the tragedy that’s occurred and leaving aside the technicality, there’s much more to it – there’s the background, the tragedy of Diana and also there was an incident with the paparazzi last summer.”
“It’s not a dignified thing when the sixth in line for the throne begins legal action against the Government because he doesn’t feel safe.”
