Prince Harry has suffered a setback in his ongoing battle for automatic police protection in the UK, as pop star Taylor Swift received a high-level security detail during her recent London concerts.
The Duke of Sussex, who lost his automatic right to police protection after stepping down as a working royal, has been fighting in court to restore this privilege.
Meanwhile, Swift was granted a blue-light police escort to her Wembley Stadium shows, sparking controversy over the involvement of top Labour politicians.
Swift’s mother and manager, Andrea Swift, is understood to have been keen for a police convoy to be provided.
The Metropolitan Police initially hesitated to grant the singer a taxpayer-funded blue-light escort, a service typically reserved for senior royals and politicians.
However, sources claim that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and London Mayor Sadiq Khan intervened, leading to the deployment of the Special Escort Group (SEG).
This elite unit, usually tasked with protecting royalty and world leaders, made an exception for Swift.
The decision came in the wake of a foiled terror plot at Swift’s concert in Austria, which heightened security concerns.
Taylor Swift performing her Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium
PA
In contrast, Prince Harry lost his High Court challenge against the Home Office over his automatic right to police protection when visiting the UK.
Ex-Met commander John O’Connor criticised the decision, stating: “Police should be left alone to make operational decisions.
“This interference creates a perception there is no such thing as a free lunch or concert tickets.”
He added: “The Met is unable to provide security for Prince Harry but he must be in at least as much danger as Taylor Swift.”
Yvette Cooper and Sadiq Khan are thought to have intervened to ensure Swift had police security
PA
Prince Harry was stripped of automatic police security after moving to the US
PA
O’Connor described the situation as “an abuse of an elite service”.
The SEG, a specialised unit within the Metropolitan Police, typically escorts members of the Royal Family and world leaders.
Its officers are trained in firearms tactics and anti-hijack driving.
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, an author, commentator and longtime supporter of the Sussexes, told Newsweek: “The same grounds that exist for giving her protection are the same grounds that exist for giving Prince Harry protection, especially since his reasons are long-standing.”
