Prince Harry’s former royal protection officer has criticised the Duke of Sussex for claiming he is the victim of a “stitch-up” regarding his UK security arrangements.
Ken Wharfe, who previously protected Harry, William and their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, described the duke’s comments as “really offensive”.
The criticism follows Harry’s recent loss in the Court of Appeal over his security arrangements while in the UK.
Wharfe believes the duke has “played the wrong card” in his approach to security concerns after stepping down as a working royal in 2020.
Prince Harry’s former bodyguard hits back at Duke’s ‘offensive’ stitch-up claim.
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He suggested Harry cannot expect the same level of protection he received when he was a working member of the Royal Family.
“I don’t see how he can expect to get full protection when he arrived back in the UK, when he is no longer a member working the Royal Family, when he knows that the actual security package comes at the expense of the British taxpayer,” Wharfe told PA.
The former protection officer explained that the Government and police are aligned on this issue. He stated Harry has been offered “protection of sorts” based on risk assessment, which is “about the best he can expect”.
Wharfe pointed out that multiple authorities have reviewed the situation, saying: “The High Court has seen that. The appeal court has seen it. The Government has seen it. The police have seen it, so where’s the problem?”
Ken Wharfe (right) previously protected Harry, William and their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
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Harry lost his appeal against the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office over the decision that he should receive a different degree of protection in the UK.
In a BBC interview, Harry claimed he “can’t see a world” in which he would bring his wife and children back to the UK. He described the situation as “a good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up”.
The duke said he is “feeling very let down” and struggling to forgive a decision that “affects me every single day” and is “knowingly putting me and my family in harm’s way”. Harry’s security level changed in 2020 when he and Meghan stepped down as working royals.
Wharfe said Harry’s claim of a “stitch-up” was “really offensive” and suggested a different approach is needed. “I think what he should be doing now is actually showing some humility, certainly towards his father,” he said.
Ken Wharfe protected Princess Diana throughout her life.
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The former protection officer advised that if reconciliation is Harry’s goal, “this is hardly the way to go about reconciling the differences that exist within your family.”
Wharfe recommended Harry should try to “begin a way of reconciling with his family and agreeing and approaching both the Government and the police” to potentially secure better protection than he currently receives. He suggested a more conciliatory approach might yield better results for the duke’s security concerns.
In the BBC interview, Harry also claimed the King, who is being treated for cancer, will not speak to him, and he does not know “how much longer my father has” left.
Wharfe noted that Harry’s current situation “must be incredibly lonely”. He added: “I’m sure he is ultimately concerned about his father’s health.”
Ken Wharfe and Princess Diana pictured in Paris in 1992.
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He suggested that if Harry has greater knowledge about Charles’s health, “he may have a good reason to worry about how long his father has to live”. This would mean “there’s even a greater wish upon his part, perhaps, to see his father and to reconcile his differences”.
Following the court ruling, a Home Office spokesman expressed satisfaction with the outcome: “We are pleased that the court has found in favour of the Government’s position in this case.
“The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.
“It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”
