Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'not entitled to security' despite stalker scare, claims panelist
Prince Harry was followed on several occasions by a stalker, described as a "fixated individual", who came "within yards" of the Duke of Sussex during his recent visit to the UK
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are "not entitled to security" because they are now just "mere celebrities," it is argued today.
The damning claim comes despite Harry being followed on multiple occasions, including twice in London, by a stalker, described as a "fixated individual".
She came "within yards" of the Duke of Sussex during his recent visit to the UK, it emerged this week. His own private security "body blocked" the woman after she entered a "secure zone" at a hotel, and 2 days later, she came within just "a stone's throw" from the duke when he visited Imperial College London's Centre for Blast Injury Studies.
But it is argued Harry and Meghan are just "celebrities" now and therefore should not receive security paid for by the British taxpayer, despite the scares.
Jane Moore, a columnist and regular on Loose Women, said: "I sympathize. But the right (or not) to state-backed police protection is decided by executive committee Ravec, which decided that, as he is no longer a working royal, he's not entitled to it. Indeed, thanks to their various commercial deals, it could be argued that Harry and Meghan are now classed as mere 'celebrities.'" Jane voiced her thoughts in a column for The Sun this week, pointing out that the couple has been chasing commercial contracts since their move from the UK to the US five years ago. They announced their decision to step back as working members of the Royal family in January 2020.
Following this, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were informed they would receive a "custom" security service, requiring them to provide 30 days' notice of any plans to travel to the UK.
Each visit would be evaluated for threat levels and the need for protection.
However, Jane, 63, argued that Harry and Meghan should not be granted such protection if they are now considered celebrities. The journalist added: "With alarming frequency, the newspapers are full of stories about other celebrities (particularly women) whose lives are blighted by stalkers that they don't get state-backed police protection from. So if Harry was to get it, then why not them?".
The article referred to high-profile stalking cases, including that of Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas who relocated her mother due to the behavior of 37 year old stalker Kyle Shaw.
However, Shaw's prison sentence was suspended for 20 months at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this year.
In addition, Myleene Klass' stalker was found guilty on Tuesday after sending her 'disturbing' unwanted letters and an air pistol.
The singer described her home as now being like "Fort Knox" and "Alcatraz" following the ordeal.
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