Prince Harry alleges security breach over 2023 al Qaeda threat
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Prince Harry's legal team claims the head of the royal protection committee failed to share information about a 2023 al Qaeda threat with his security staff and U.S. authorities.
Prince Harry has lodged a complaint alleging that the chair of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) did not pass on intelligence about a 2023 al Qaeda threat to his security team or to U.S. authorities. The complaint, submitted by his legal representatives, says the committee head was aware of the threat but withheld the information.
The duke’s filing notes that at least six plots involving the Taliban, al Qaeda or affiliated groups have targeted him since 2007, including an alleged assassination plan in 2023 while he was residing in the United States and a 2012 Taliban statement promising to kill or kidnap him.
"Prince Harry wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in August requesting personal oversight of police protection for his family," the filing states.
The dispute follows Harry’s recent return to the United Kingdom with Meghan Markle, during which he has sought to restore close police protection that was removed after the couple stepped back from official royal duties in 2020. Details about the Sussexes’ current residence have not been disclosed.
The matter highlights ongoing concerns about the coordination of security information between UK royal protection bodies and foreign agencies.