PRINCE Harry has won a Home Office review of the decision to strip him of 24-hour armed police protection on visits to the UK.
The U-turn could pave the way for a reunion between the King and grandkids Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, who live in the US.
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Prince Harry lost a High Court challenge to his security status in MayCredit: Reuters
Harry, pictured alongside King Charles at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, returned in September for a series of charity events and also met his father for the first time in 19 monthsCredit: AP
Prince Harry and wife Meghan with kids Archie, six, and Lilibet, fourCredit: Instagram
Charles last saw them in June 2022 during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations but Harry has since said it is not safe for them to visit Britain.
The Duke of Sussex blamed an “establishment stitch-up” after losing a High Court fight this year to reinstate his taxpayer-funded privilege.
But The Sun can reveal the Home Office has now ordered a threat assessment for the first time since Harry stepped down as a working royal in 2020.
Harry, who served in Afghanistan, was previously said to face the most serious risk, alongside only the late Queen and the PM.
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But it is claimed his rating had fallen during an assessment in February 2020, meaning his automatic right to armed protection was removed.
‘Establishment stitch-up’
He then left for the US, where his annual security bill is estimated to run into millions.
The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) has now instructed its Risk Management Board to reassess his threat level for the first time in nearly six years.
It is understood the process is already under way, with evidence taken from police, government and Harry’s team.
A decision is expected next month from the government body, which is overseen by the Home Office.
If it rules he requires armed protection then taxpayers would pay for it whenever he is in the UK.
Harry currently has to contact the Met Police 30 days before arriving in the UK for a security review on a case-by-case basis.
Sources have argued that is more expensive than a few salaried armed officers on the rare occasions he does return.
In May, the Home Office said it was “pleased” with the High Court decision not to reinstate his automatic protection.
However the California-based duke claimed he did not feel safe enough to bring his family here.
I can’t see a world in which I will be bringing my wife and children back at this point.
Prince Harry
In a blistering 30-minute interview, Harry slammed the decision as a “good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up”.
He said: “The other side have won in keeping me unsafe. I can’t see a world in which I will be bringing my wife and children back at this point.”
Harry has since returned alone, including in September where he attended charity events and met his dad for the first time in 19 months.
He also wrote to newly installed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood asking for a risk reassessment.
Prince Harry arrives at High CourtCredit: Paul Edwards
Any upgrade in Harry’s security status could pave the way for King Charles to reunite with his grandchildrenCredit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun
A government spokesman said last night: “The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.
“It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”
A spokesman for the Duke of Sussex declined to comment.
