By Micah Jonah
January 11, 2026
Prince Harry’s long running legal battle to restore automatic armed police protection during visits to the United Kingdom is approaching a decisive moment, with a ruling expected in the coming weeks that could significantly reshape his relationship with Britain and the Royal Family.
Royal sources say the Duke of Sussex is optimistic about the outcome, which is widely expected to go in his favour. A successful ruling would mean taxpayer funded police protection is reinstated when Harry is in the UK, easing what he has repeatedly described as his primary concern about personal safety.
“This would change everything,” a source close to the royal family said, reflecting the scale of the potential impact of a decision in Harry’s favour.
Supporters of the move argue that enhanced security could finally remove a major barrier preventing Harry from bringing his children, Archie and Lilibet to Britain. Such a shift could also allow King Charles to spend time with his grandchildren for the first time since June 2022, when Lilibet marked her first birthday.
However, critics warn the ruling could reopen a deeply contentious debate over the Sussexes’ role within the monarchy. Commentators say guaranteed police protection would give Harry and Meghan Markle a major privilege usually reserved for working royals, without the obligations of official public service.
Veteran royal correspondent, Richard Eden noted that such an outcome would effectively grant the Sussexes “automatic taxpayer funded protection but none of the duties that come with public roles”. He added that the financial burden on British taxpayers could spark widespread backlash at a time of economic pressure.
Under current arrangements, armed police protection is provided only to senior working royals, such as Princess Anne and Prince Edward, and typically only while they are carrying out official duties. Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal responsibilities in 2020, a key factor behind the removal of their publicly funded security.
The case has been considered by the Government’s Royal and VIP Executive Committee, which is expected to deliver its verdict soon. While Harry has argued that security concerns prevent him from visiting the UK freely with his family. Oponents say reinstating protection would set a precedent that blurs the boundary between royal duty and private life.
During a visit to London last September, Harry held a private meeting with King Charles, a moment widely seen as a tentative step towards repairing strained family relations. A favourable ruling on security could further encourage such contact, but it may also reignite tensions within both the Royal Family and the public.
As the decision looms, the case highlights a broader question at the heart of modern monarchy: how far privilege should extend once official duty ends, and who ultimately bears the cost.
