Prince Harry may often be portrayed as deeply unpopular in the British press, but a new survey suggests the public’s view is far more nuanced. A freshly released YouGov poll of 8,022 adults, conducted on 8 December, reveals that a clear majority of Britons believe the Duke of Sussex deserves at least some degree of police protection when visiting the UK.
According to the findings, 56% of Britons say Harry “should receive some level of police protection” on UK soil — a significant figure at a time when the Government is launching a new review of his security status. The poll arrives just as the Home Office begins another round of assessments following Harry’s latest request for a reevaluation of the risks he faces when travelling to Britain.
But although support for the principle of protection is strong, the poll also shows that the public is far more divided when it comes to who should pay for it, The Sun reported.
Only 17% of respondents believe Prince Harry should receive state-funded police protection, making clear that taxpayers aren’t eager to resume footing the bill for his security entourage. Instead, the larger group 39% offers a more pragmatic compromise: Harry should have access to police protection, but only if he pays for it himself.
Still, opinion is far from unanimous. Another 28% of those surveyed hold the firm view that Harry should not be entitled to police protection in any form a reflection of the lingering resentment some feel following his departure from royal duties in 2020.
And then, in true British fashion, 16% of respondents chose “ don’t know,” effectively opting out of yet another royal controversy. The renewed debate over Harry’s security stems from a formal letter he wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in October, asking for a fresh threat assessment.
His legal battle with the Government over personal security has been ongoing for years, with the duke arguing that his status and the threats he faces warrant official protection, even though he is no longer a working royal. The Home Office has now ordered a new evaluation to determine whether the risks to Harry have changed and whether adjustments to his arrangements are necessary.
This comes after multiple high-profile moments in which Harry has claimed he cannot safely bring his children to the UK without adequate security. The YouGov results suggest that public opinion is more sympathetic to his concerns than the national headlines often imply. While the nation may be split on the financial question, the majority appear to agree on one point: given his profile and the threats historically associated with his role, Prince Harry should not be left entirely without protection.
As the Government considers its next move, the poll highlights a broader reality that the British public’s view of Harry is far more layered and generous than many political and media narratives would suggest.
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