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Concerns about the safety and security of Prince Harry have escalated to a higher level in recent weeks following an attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump. When the FBI investigated the attempted attack, they discovered that the perpetrator had also researched members of the British royal family prior to carrying out their plan. This has led to speculation that both Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are now considered to be at an increased risk.
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Royal expert Jenny Bond highlighted how security at Buckingham Palace has been breached on numerous occasions in the past, including one instance where an intruder made it all the way to the late Queen's bedroom. While security threats have always been a grim reality for the royal family, Bond suggests Harry's military background in particular may make him a more obvious target. However, she acknowledges that when Harry and Meghan decided to leave their senior royal roles and relocate to North America, they would have been well aware of the security implications of that move.
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While the couple has faced significant costs to provide private protection for themselves and their family in California, Bond points out that high-profile celebrities around the world also require bodyguards and security arrangements. Living very public lives does unfortunately necessitate heightened security measures. However, it does come at great financial burden to the Sussexes who have relinquished public funding for these matters since ceasing their royal duties.
In fact, Harry faced a major setback earlier this year in his ongoing battle to maintain police protection for himself and his family during visits to the UK. His bid to overturn a previous high court ruling which revoked taxpayer-funded security was dismissed. As someone who openly shared his safety concerns about returning to Britain, the Duke of Sussex found himself on the losing side of his appeal against the 2020 decision which removed permanent publicly-funded protection once he stepped back from royal life.
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This ruling from the Executive Committee for the Preservation of Royalty and Prominent Personalities has stood firm, leaving Harry's security situation unclear for trips back home. Some experts argue this could unfortunately discourage visits from the Sussexes to family in the UK over fears for their wellbeing, though Buckingham Palace maintains their security is privately covered during private visits. However, the increased threats following recent attacks on high-profile political figures like President Trump only serve to intensify existing worries.
The assassination attempt on Trump, and information that the would-be assassin also researched members of the British royal family, is believed to have prompted a review and update of security protocols for the Windsors. While the specifics of any changed measures have not been disclosed, the increased threat level is understood to directly impact protection plans for senior royals including Harry, whose military service and public profile have arguably made him a appealing target. Unfortunately for the Sussexes, their decision to step back from the royal bubble also means facing greater costs for safety that would previously have been state-provided.
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Living transatlantic lives that take them between America and Britain presents difficulties in maintaining consistent, robust security. Yet doing so is absolutely paramount given the very real dangers that public figures face on the world stage. While some argue Harry should accept the partial public protection provided on UK soil, others counter the lack of permanent guaranteed security discourages visits. With threats increasing, a resolution is surely needed to the family's security concerns that enables ongoing contact between the Sussexes and other royals in a safe manner.
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Though they certainly did not foresee these escalating risks when severing royal ties, Harry and Meghan are now grappling with the full consequences of their move. While their relocation aimed to provide greater privacy and freedom away from the royal spotlight, the need for protection remains paramount. With attacks targeting high-level politicians like President Trump, ongoing behind-the-scenes review of royal security is a sobering reminder of the very real risks the family faces on a regular basis, especially those in the public eye like Prince Harry. Finding a solution to maintain both safety and family relationships will surely be a challenge the Sussexes prioritize addressing going forward.
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