EXCLUSIVE: Prince Harry’s team have told the WellChild awards that they are not allowed to inform the public or even those outside of a close-knit circle the location of this year’s event due to fears over the Duke’s security.
Prince Harry’s fears for his security have been amplified for his upcoming visit to the UK (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry’s fears for his security in the UK have been amplified after his team banned the WellChild awards from publicising Monday’s event location, Express.co.uk has learned.
According to a well-placed source, Harry’s team told event organisers that they are not allowed to inform the public or even those outside of a close-knit circle the location of this year’s event due to fears that the Duke could become a target.
“Harry is still very concerned about his security in the UK and his team have asked that the location not be shared with anyone until the day of the event,” said the source. “It’s one thing for Harry to come over last minute for a funeral or to see family, but completely different when the event is publicised and in the public domain.
“He [Harry] could become a target so the team have ensured that the location only be known on a need to know basis.”
The update comes after Prince Harry’s shock revelation in his memoir Spare that he killed 25 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.
The source says it is that boast which has increased security concerns ahead of his trip to the United Kingdom on Monday.
“The reason why Harry has become such a security concern is due to comments he’s made about the Taliban,” said the source. “Because of those comments, he will always be a target. That’s something he only has himself to blame.”
Just last month, Prince Harry flew from his home in the US to join his brother at St Mary’s Church in Norfolk for the memorial service of his late uncle Lord Robert Fellowes.
The Duke stayed with his uncle Earl Spencer on the nearby Althorp estate.
It has been claimed that Harry didn’t receive the full support of the Home Office during his visit due to the trip not falling within the government’s 28-day notice period.
Prince Harry appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show in America this week where he was filmed swearing (Image: Getty)
“Harry can fly to the UK on a whim but he won’t receive the full support of RAVEC unless it falls within 28 days’ notice,” said the source. “There are exceptions made for last-minute unexpected events like funerals, but even then it’s rather low-key and details are kept under wraps.
“The reason why Harry was so keen to keep his last visit to the UK secret was due to his security.”
Prince Harry is set to go ahead with his Home Office security battle despite his recent visits to the UK without the full support of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC).
It was revealed earlier this month that the Duke will press ahead after losing his “frankly hopeless” bid to appeal the decision earlier this year.
It is understood that a two-day hearing will go ahead in April next year in the latest dramatic twist to Harry’s three-year legal fight with the British government about his UK security.