Prince Harry has been branded “ludicrous” compared to King Charles, after a fresh debate erupted over his long-running fight for taxpayer-funded security in the UK. The discussion comes after reports emerged that a man wearing a balaclava was arrested following an alleged confrontation involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, near his home on the Sandringham estate, earlier this year.
The incident was discussed on TalkTV, where former royal butler Grant Harrold agreed that the situation could strengthen Prince Harry’s argument for increased protection when visiting Britain.
Speaking to host Mark Dolan, Harrold said the Duke of Sussex would likely point to the incident as evidence of the risks faced by members of the royal family.
“I think it is. This is going to go in his favour because you can hear it now,” he said.
“You can hear him saying to either his father or the advisor, ‘this is why we need security because this happened to my uncle, and I’m in a similar situation in the UK…'”
Prince Harry has repeatedly argued he and his family face safety risks when travelling to Britain after losing automatic police protection following his departure from royal duties in 2020.
The Duke has continued challenging the decision through the courts, arguing that private security teams do not have access to the same intelligence and resources as state-backed protection officers.
However, Harrold claimed King Charles takes a very different approach to security and public life.
“I mean the thing about the King is, he’d rather have his own independence when he’s out and about if he can,” he explained.
He then appeared to criticise Harry’s preferred level of protection, adding: “It’s extraordinary that when he wants to have almost like a sort of presidential, I imagine, detail around him which is ludicrous and costs a lot of money.”
Harrold also pointed to the cost to taxpayers, saying: “This is the reality, this is why the King’s been so careful about it because he’s aware that this is our money that’s being used to protect these individuals.”
These comments are the latest in the ongoing divide between the monarch and his younger son, whose relationship has remained strained since Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back as senior working royals.
Harry has spoken publicly about security concerns on several occasions, previously claiming he does not feel it is safe to bring his family to the UK without adequate protection.