By Bronte Coy
Copyright news
A known stalker had to be “body-blocked” by a member of Prince Harry’s staff after coming into close contact with him during his recent UK visit, it’s been revealed.
The Telegraph reports that the woman, who may be suffering from mental health issues, managed to access a “secure zone” within The Royal Lancaster Hotel in central London, where he was attending the WellChild Awards last month.
That same week, Harry was visiting the Centre for Blast Injuries Studies in west London when she was once again spotted in proximity to him, reportedly prompting a member of his staff to intervene and physically block her from approaching.
The Telegraph reports that the woman has a history of stalking Harry and his wife, Meghan, and had previously followed them on their visit to Nigeria last year.
While Scotland Yard has declined to comment on the incident, a security source told People magazine that Harry’s current situation was untenable.
“These incidents are not uncommon for members of the royal family,” the insider told the publication.
“It differs, however, because there was no police presence or close protection — it was left to two staffers from his private office to intervene. This time, they got lucky, recognising the fixated individual. Relying on luck is not a long-term fix.
“He’s the son of the King, brother of the heir, fifth in line to the throne and one of the most famous people in the world. It feels like there is an inevitable foreboding looming over this whole issue.”
It comes after Harry lost his appeal to reinstate his taxpayer-funded security in the UK, which was replaced with a “bespoke” arrangement after he quit royal duties and moved to California.
In his ruling to dismiss The Duke’s case in early May, the judge explained: “The Duke was, in effect, stepping in and out of the cohort of protection provided by RAVEC [the government’s Royal and VIP Executive Committee].
“Outside the U.K., he was outside the cohort, but when in the U.K., his security would be considered as appropriate depending on the circumstances.
“It was impossible, I said in my judgment, to say that this reasoning was illogical or inappropriate. Indeed, it seemed sensible.”