A recent poll indicates that a significant portion of the British public believes Prince Harry should receive police protection during visits to the UK, but many contend he should cover the costs himself. The survey, conducted among more than 8,000 adults, found that 39 percent support the idea of the former royal personally funding security for himself and his family when traveling from their home in California.

This stance conflicts with the Home Office’s established position, which maintains that allowing individuals to pay for police protection would risk turning the Metropolitan Police into a service "guns for hire." The issue has gained renewed attention amid reports that Prince Harry has succeeded in prompting a Home Office review of the previous decision to remove his 24-hour, publicly funded armed security detail for UK visits.

Prince Harry lost a High Court appeal in May challenging this decision. He openly criticized the ruling as an "establishment stitch-up" after stepping back from royal duties and relocating to the United States to pursue commercial ventures.

The YouGov poll further revealed that 28 percent of respondents believe Prince Harry should not receive any official protection at all. Meanwhile, only 17 percent supported security arrangements fully funded by the state, and 16 percent were undecided on the matter.

The Home Office’s risk management board, Ravec, has reportedly initiated a reassessment of the security risks facing Prince Harry, a move that could lead to the reinstatement of his protection while in the UK. A final decision is expected next month.

Supporters of Prince Harry view the potential restoration of security as a positive step that might allow him and his family, including his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Archie and Lilibet, to visit Britain more freely. Notably, the King has not seen his grandchildren since 2022, emphasizing the personal dimension underpinning the broader security debate.