The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 6: Aug. 2021- Oct. 2022

[eya]

"Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, is getting ready for the Netherlands with some Dutch lessons. We look forward to giving him a warm welcome in #TheHague. As we all prepare for The Games, our thoughts are with Team Ukraine, as well as their friends & family."

https://twitter.com/i/status/1502668237712105472

[Somebody]

I wonder why he considers the Netherlands so much safer than the UK. His presence is advertised, so people will know where he is and I don't think he will get the same type of intelligence he requests for the UK in the Netherlands either...

So, his concern doesn't seem to be safety but being kept away from paparazzi?! Or is there a better explanation?

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Somebody

So, his concern doesn't seem to be safety but being kept away from paparazzi?!

He has stated that he regards paparazzi as a safety concern. His press release about his lawsuit stated that "his security was compromised" when his car was followed by paparazzi photographers while leaving a charity event in July 2021.

https://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...ml#post2447762
https://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...ml#post2450094

[Somebody]

However, it remains unclear to me how MET officers are better equiped to handle such situations than private security. At the same time he insists he needs better/confidential security information but I assume that type of information is not about which photographer is planning to be at an event Harry is attending. So, the issue and proposed solution don't match imho.

[UglyAmerican]

Is he getting some kind of government security in the Netherlands, separate from what's provided for Invictus events? Or does he think there are no paparazzi there? The longer this goes on, and the more information that comes out, the less sense his position makes. At this point, I honestly think he just doesn't want to see them, but he doesn't want to publicly admit that. He could simply refrain from any public comment on the subject, but he apparently doesn't want to do that, either.

[Lee-Z]

His security/safety concerns seem to be limited to only places in britain where british paparazzi attend.
I think P.Charles offered to provide security when Harry visited, but that offer wasn't taken, so it seems it's not just about security or no security

it very much feels like a personal vendetta of Harry against the biggest evil: British paparazzi

[Granada]

So what IS the end game here ?

Has Harry received a guarantee of VIP Protection in The Netherlands as an 'Internationally Protected Person", provided at The Governments expense?
Can't figure out a Win here, otherwise.

Making the UK look irresponsible. A security risk, not giving into Harry's demands, while The Netherlands did.

Another PR win for the Sussex's. Fueling their narrative of being silenced and marginalized, in the UK.
While The Netherlands gave Harry and Meghan top notch VIP Security, elevating their Sussex Status, and kicking the UK....again.
I believe that is the calculation Harry and Meghan are making. The Sussex's will show up in The Netherlands.
Yep. Both of them.

[Vicky7]

They would not have IPP status in the netherlands for this event. Or any event in any country. This is a "private" event he is there as a private citizen not working on behalf of the government.
Imo he can go to the netherlands because he can bring his netflix cameras there he cant bring netflix in the uk and start filming on palace grounds they would not allow it.

[Claire]

I am not certain if they have received the VIP protection - however the Games themselves is footing the bill for any security.
I think it is more to do with his documentary that needs the footage to be completed. They really need to start delivering on their Netflix obligations.

[HighGoalHighDreams]

I think the end game here is for the Sussexes to get out of attending events they have neither the desire nor the intention to attend- and never had the desire or intention to attend- while making themselves look like slighted victims, not children throwing toys out of a pram.

[ladongas]

Originally Posted by HighGoalHighDreams

I think the end game here is for the Sussexes to get out of attending events they have neither the desire nor the intention to attend- and never had the desire or intention to attend- while making themselves look like slighted victims, not children throwing toys out of a pram.

Isn’t it somewhat possible - or even likely- that threats are aimed at Meghan and the children rather than Harry? No need to state why…

[Durham]

Originally Posted by ladongas

Isn’t it somewhat possible - or even likely- that threats are aimed at Meghan and the children rather than Harry? No need to state why…

Yes it is. But if that is the case then they most certainly would receive state protection if they came here.

The security services in the UK are the experts here after all. It's their job!

[Hallo girl]

Harry and his family have already classed with 'Exceptional status' by the Home Office, which from what I understand means that security will be assessed on a case by case basis. So yes he will be provided with security here in the UK, but the RP people are not going to chase away cameramen or the press unless they get really close and pose a threat.
I think the Home Office have found a tactful way of providing the security. He is no longer a working member of the RF and does not receive the Important person title that appears to be important to him but he will receive security, a middle road had been found but he doesn't appear to want to accept it. Or maybe he just doesn't want to come. The will they wont they does keep them on the front page.

[crm2317]

It’s a shame that Harry feels unable to come, I felt so sure that he would! However I’m sure he will spend time remembering his grandfather privately.

Perhaps he wishes for the focus of the day to be on Prince Philip and remembering the wonderful man he was. If he attended a lot of the focus would be on him, body language etc with his family members. By announcing early that he won’t attend it lets the media storm blow over somewhat before the day itself.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by UglyAmerican

Is he getting some kind of government security in the Netherlands, separate from what's provided for Invictus events? Or does he think there are no paparazzi there? The longer this goes on, and the more information that comes out, the less sense his position makes. At this point, I honestly think he just doesn't want to see them, but he doesn't want to publicly admit that. He could simply refrain from any public comment on the subject, but he apparently doesn't want to do that, either.

He will get full protection service when required. The Hague houses the International Court of Justice and has high profile former politicians and war criminals detained. There is a specialist protection service around it, for royals, politicans and VIPs, apart from the regular police and military services. The DKDB (The Royal- and Diplomatic Protection Service) with around 500 staff. For me it is strange that the country famous for James Bond, of Scotland Yard, of MI5 and MI6, seem not give sufficient protection to the Sussexes. I would have guessed protection was the last to worry about, over there in the UK.

[Vicky7]

Originally Posted by crm2317

It’s a shame that Harry feels unable to come, I felt so sure that he would! However I’m sure he will spend time remembering his grandfather privately.

Perhaps he wishes for the focus of the day to be on Prince Philip and remembering the wonderful man he was. If he attended a lot of the focus would be on him, body language etc with his family members. By announcing early that he won’t attend it lets the media storm blow over somewhat before the day itself.

This is the sussex we are talking about. Did people forget the little stunt meghan pulled during the funeral about the wreath..

[Vicky7]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

He will get full protection service when required. The Hague houses the International Court of Justice and has high profile former politicians and war criminals detained. There is a specialist protection service around it, for royals, politicans and VIPs, apart from the regular police and military services. The DKDB (The Royal- and Diplomatic Protection Service) with around 500 staff. For me it is strange that the country famous for James Bond, of Scotland Yard, of MI5 and MI6, seem not give sufficient protection to the Sussexes. I would have guessed protection was the last to worry about, over there in the UK.

Does dutch security forces provide security for the kings brother during his private non royal events? What about other members of the dutch royal family do they get tax payer funded security doing non royal engagements? What about when the King does his part time job as a commercial pilot does security go with him on the flights?
The answer to the first two questions is probably NO.. that is what Harry wants government security for his non royal non government events.

And i very much doubt he will get government security when he goes there. He is no longer working on behalf of the UK. He is essentially a private celebrity.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Sionevar

I think, in some ways, him not being there will actually make things easier. Yes, there will be some distracting discussion about his absence, but nowhere near as much as if he was there on his own, or if Meghan was with him. If he turned up, a lot of people would spend the whole service scrutinizing body language and expressions, speculating on what that means about who's speaking to who, and who isn't.

At least this way, once the initial talk about him not being there is over, the focus can just be on the service, as it should be.

I doubt anyone in that family wants to see Meghan anyways. Honestly I don't fault Harry. Who needs that drama during something that should be about his grandfather? They will likely visit HMQ when they return to Europe in April. They just need to do private visits. No need for anything public. I also don't think they will be involved in the Jubilee either.

[Hallo girl]

Originally Posted by ACO

I doubt anyone in that family wants to see Meghan anyways. Honestly I don't fault Harry. Who needs that drama during someone that should be about his grandfather? They will likely visit HMQ when they return to Europe in April. They just need to do private visit. No need for anything public.

I think a private visit would be a good idea but how often do they do private...or if they do it is then announced via their favourite reporter.

[MARG]

While I believe this situation factors in the ongoing court case, to dismiss his fears for himself and his family was never about how popular he is but rather how hated he has become. Knowing nutters that labelled him a "race traitor" and his wife and child(ren) "abominations" hasn't changed and IMHO Harry and the rest of the BRF getting chummy would really rattle their cages. It is an ugly truth that most of the western world is facing, the prolific rise of the radical left and we have seen there are enough nutters around for just one to take it to a higher level.

As to the Memorial itself, we have to at least give Harry the benefit of the doubt in some things. He has not become the living embodiment of all things ugly and, in this case, we overlook the fact that he too is grieving for his beloved grandfather, the person he most wanted to be proud of him and everything turned to s***. After a major falling out with his brother every man and his dog has had their say and kept it to the forefront of his and the rest of the BRF's lives.

Harry and William were never able to deal with their grief over their mother's death because every year we get reminded by her adoring fans and tabloid writers making another few bucks over their pain. Everyone else I know who has lost a beloved parent too soon has all processed their way through the so-called 'stages of grief. Not so Diana's sons. And now the death of a loved and admired grandfather is going the same way.

How many people thought it disrespectful of the Queen to observe a period of mourning counted in days let alone weeks or months? Nobody! but apart from the ghastly and sickening appearance of HM looking so small and bereft and alone at her husband's funeral, in the time of Covid the normal process of mourning has proceeded as it should. But the other great news was "will Harry have the decency to attend the funeral?" and, if he does, he should have had the decency to stay away so as not to affect the rest of the family if he did attend.

The same applies to the Memorial Service, he can't win because of "how shallow, cold, and Hollywood' he is if he doesn't attend. Conversely 'he's got a nerve showing up at the Service' is the general feeling espoused by the rags and fans. Either is messy and, he may just want to stick his head under his pillow until the hurt goes away.

The same arguments are put forward for him attending any part of the Platinum Jubilee. If he did attend, they would claim he was trying to ruin the occasion for the entire BRF yet sadly, he probably misses them all.