Noblesse Not Obliged

I cannot pretend that I ever thought I would be writing a security blog corresponding to the British royal family's drama, but I can’t say my life is dull either.

That’s right, the latest this week is regarding Prince Harry’s failed legal challenge to request police protection during visits to Britain. In fairness he did offer to pay out of pocket for the expenses for what that’s worth, but it turns out the British Home Office takes offense at private (non-royal) citizens using the police force at their own discretion.

I know what you’re thinking, why doesn’t Harry just hire one of the many fine security/executive security and bodyguard services available in this industry, and the answer is he does! In the United States at least. Because of British firearm laws, however, those private security officers aren’t authorized to carry guns back home. Without diving into that particular viper’s nest of opinions I would point out that assailants are just as likely to be unarmed in Britain, and if he truly wanted to keep exercising royal privilege, he probably shouldn’t have thrown it away.

He might be a little jumpy following an incident last week in New York City where Harry and Co. were swarmed by paparazzi before entering a taxi. In fact, a spokesperson for the family claimed that the incident they were involved in was “a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi." However, according to a report by the New York Times the taxi driver ferrying the prince, his wife, and mother-in-law said there had been no car chase whatsoever. Maybe a bit of tasteless embellishment from Harry, considering family history, or maybe he’s unfamiliar with New York traffic? I’m sure Editor Cory Harris would know better.

The good news for the prince is that as long as he remains in the United States he has plenty of distinguished choices he can make from the industry’s available guarding services. In Britain,  however, he’s been sent packing.

Or not, as the case may be.