Will Queen Elizabeth Intervene In Prince Harry's Legal Plans?

The ideaof holding a full-time job at the age of 95 is impressive enough. But when that job is ruling over the entire United Kingdom, that accomplishment is more astounding still. Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history, and, as of February 6,th 2022, she will have been on the throne a record-breaking 70 years. 

With all that influence comes an equally large amount of responsibility — which can often test a monarch's family loyalty. For instance, the Queen had the unenviable task of telling Prince Andrew that he would be losing all of his royal patronages and military titles in the wake of his alleged involvement with Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking ring (via New York Post). 

Now, Queen Elizabeth II is facing an equally difficult choice. Her grandson Prince Harry just had his legal team send a request to the British government, demanding the reinstatement of added police security for him and his family during any future trips to the United Kingdom. Citing his proximity to the throne and the threats that have been made against him and wife Meghan Markle. His lawyers said in a statement, "The UK will always be Prince Harry's home and a country he wants his wife and children to be safe in. With the lack of police protection, comes too great a personal risk." (per The Daily Mail). 

Now, the question remains — will the Queen agree that her grandson and his family deserve the level of security that government police can provide?

Royals expert Kristin Contino spoke exclusively to Us Weekly about the Queen's reaction to Prince Harry's demand for national security during future trips to the UK. Contino acknowledged that it will be admittedly difficult for the Queen not to act as a loving grandmother, but "She's [not] going to go up against the government and say, 'Well, you know, you need to give him security.'" 

Contino also pointed out that not every royal is guaranteed an extra government-supplied police presence. For example, Princess Anne doesn't have 24-hour security, even though she was nearly kidnapped in 1974, according to The Daily Mail. "People are saying, 'Well, is that setting a precedent for members of the public to pay the police for private security?' And, 'Is the metropolitan police for hire?'" Contino said, adding that the metropolitan police have already reviewed the prince's case and determined that he has a "low" risk of danger.

For the record, Prince Harry has offered to pay for the extra protection out of his own pocket. Despite the fact that "people can see both sides of this situation," the Queen "will always choose [being] [the] monarch at the end of the day," Contino said. Opposing the decision of a government agency could cause a serious rift between the palace and the police. So , ven though her grandmotherly heart might sympathize, her royal responsibilities will most likely win out.