{"id":687338,"date":"2026-01-10T19:09:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T19:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/687338\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T19:09:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T19:09:24","slug":"prince-william-avoids-smack-in-the-face-over-harry-move-despite-harsh-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/687338\/","title":{"rendered":"Prince William avoids &#8216;smack in the face&#8217; over Harry move despite &#8216;harsh decision&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If Prince Harry ends up having his automatic police protection reinstated when in the UK &#8211; it could change everything for the Duke of Sussex when it comes to his future<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768072161_632_9_Prince-And-Princess-Of-Wales-And-Duke-And-Duchess-Of-Sussex-Walkabout-Outside-Windsor-Castle.jpg\" alt=\"Prince William and Prince Harry\" loading=\"eager\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Prince William and Prince Harry\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Prince William and Prince Harry(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">January is shaping up to be a crunch month for <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/prince-harry\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Prince Harry<\/a> &#8211; especially when it comes to one of his biggest battles. After losing his legal case to have his automatic police protection <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/kate-birthday-william-harry-live-36523290\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">while in the UK reinstated, in a major U-turn<\/a>, the Home Office is said to have now ordered a full threat assessment for the first time since 2020.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The outcome of the review is expected this month, with sources close to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/prince-harry\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Duke of Sussex<\/a> said to be &#8216;confident&#8217; it could be restored. At present, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/harry-charles-william-kate-live-36509871\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Harry must inform the Metropolitan Police a month<\/a> before travelling to the UK, who look at his security needs on a case-by-case basis. But his lawyers have previously argued this has put his life &#8220;at stake&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/kate-middletons-new-normal-after-36521191\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36521191\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kate Middleton&#8217;s &#8216;new normal&#8217; after life-changing experience and her one birthday wish<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/prince-harry-discovering-life-isnt-36514313\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36514313\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prince Harry discovering &#8216;life isn&#8217;t as easy&#8217; after &#8216;squandering&#8217; Royal Family trust<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2_Duke-of-Sussex-UK-visit.jpg\" alt=\"Prince Harry at the High Court last year\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Prince Harry at the High Court last year\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Prince Harry at the High Court last year(Image: PA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But if this were to change, some have speculated he could spend more and more time in the UK &#8211; and could potentially even help out the ever smaller band of working royals with some royal engagements on behalf of the King.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But former <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/bbc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">BBC<\/a> royal correspondent Jennie Bond isn&#8217;t so sure &#8211; she believes nobody would be more keen to for Harry stay away from the royal fold than his older, estranged brother <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/prince-william\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Prince William<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She told the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Mirror<\/a> : &#8220;I don\u2019t think that he will be taking on any royal duties here. The decision was made that you cannot be half in and half out. Personally, I think that was pretty harsh, however, it is the way things are.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;And I think it would be a smack in the face to William, who has remained so completely loyal to his father and his duty, to allow Harry back as a working royal, even a part-time one.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2_Prince-Harry-visits-Nottingham-as-part-of-a-string-of-engagements-on-his-return-to-the-UK.jpg\" alt=\"Harry on the second day of his trip to the UK in September \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Harry on the second day of his trip to the UK in September \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Harry on the second day of his trip to the UK in September (Image: Tom Maddick \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In October, it emerged that a &#8216;known&#8217; stalker of Harry came within yards of him during his visit to the UK last September. They were reportedly found hiding in the toilets of a swanky London hotel just minutes before he was due to arrive for an event.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And Jennie added: &#8220;I think this security decision, which looks pretty imminent, is a vindication for Harry. He has stamped his feet, complained to the government, taken matters to the High Court and publicly denounced its decision to deny his plea as a \u2018good old-fashioned establishment stitch -up\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;But I think it would be the correct decision to restore his security. As he has consistently argued, nothing has changed about the threat level he faces. He is still the King\u2019s son, still fifth in line to the throne and, most pertinently, still a former army officer who served and killed in <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/Afghanistan\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Afghanistan<\/a>. He and his family are obvious targets.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Throughout his security battle, Harry argued that his security situation in the UK made it &#8220;impossible&#8221; for him to safely bring his wife, Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, back to his home country.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6_ARCHWELL.jpg\" alt=\"Harry and Meghan with their children \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Harry and Meghan with their children \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Harry and Meghan with their children (Image: ARCHWELL)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He also said the situation had driven a wedge between him and his father the King, with Harry also previously claiming the pair weren&#8217;t on speaking terms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The King has only seen his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, a handful of times, with the pair being brought up with their parents in California. Meghan has also not visited the UK since 2022, when the late Queen died.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If Harry does win his automatic security back, Jennie Bond believes Harry could be quick to bring his children over to visit his home country &#8211; but there could be a stumbling block.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She added: &#8220;Harry says the security issue has been the biggest obstacle in any reconciliation with his family, and the primary reason that he has not brought his family to see their grandfather and experience their heritage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;So, if that obstacle is removed, it seems reasonable to presume that he will bring Archie and Lilibet over here. And I think most people would be glad to see our old King reunited with the son he called his \u201cdarling boy\u201c and with the grandchildren he barely knows.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;But I\u2019m less convinced that the public is ready for Meghan Part Two. She\u2019s clearly happy at home in California and I can\u2019t see why she would want to come to the UK and face possible hostility. So, perhaps in future we will see more of Harry and possibly the children.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Get the inside scoop on the monarchy with Mirror Royal<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">WHATSAPP GROUP: <\/strong>Be first to get the biggest royal bombshells and exclusives to your phone by joining our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/crnch.it\/tDbwIMkd\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Royal WhatsApp here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" Privacy NoticeLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"> Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">NEWSLETTER: <\/strong>Or sign up to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=4b0cbed5-3f37-4486-86b2-57afe268814e&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mirror&#8217;s Royal newsletter here<\/strong><\/a> to get all the biggest royal news and exclusive pictures, straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If Prince Harry ends up having his automatic police protection reinstated when in the UK &#8211; it could&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":687339,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7708],"tags":[20290,447,532,5105,7710,519,448],"class_list":{"0":"post-687338","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-royals","8":"tag-jennie-bond","9":"tag-prince-harry","10":"tag-prince-william","11":"tag-royal","12":"tag-royal-families","13":"tag-royal-family","14":"tag-royals"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115872384000746232","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=687338"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687338\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/687339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=687338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=687338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=687338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}