Prince Harry to 'double down in security fight' after Andrew 'incident'

Prince Harry is expected to "double down on his position" his family needs taxpayer-funded security when they visit the UK after the alleged Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor incident. The Duke of Sussex's legal and personal argument in his continued fight is said to have been given a boost following the arrest of a man in connection with the alleged Andrew incident. Alex Jenkinson, 39, appeared in court on Friday, charged with two counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior to harass someone or cause alarm or distress. Tom Sykes, a royal journalist, said: "It's reasonable to assume he will be seriously concerned, and will now double down on his position that he simply cannot bring his wife Meghan Markle and their children back to the United Kingdom without a comprehensive security package in place." Prince Harry's argument has, for years, been met with scepticism, legal battles, and indifference but it is believed the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is likely to change things. The machinery governing Harry's security when he visits the UK runs through RAVEC, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, and has a complicated process. Under the current arrangement, Harry must give thirty days' notice of any visit, after which RAVEC makes a case-by-case determination about what protection he receives. But last September, a known stalker managed to get within feet of the Duke of Sussex on two separate occasions during a single London visit. Mr Sykes, also an author, continued: "If something were to happen [to Prince Harry], it would be catastrophic, not just for Harry, but for the United Kingdom, the monarchy, and the country's reputation in the world." Father-of-two Harry has claimed he is particularly concerned for Meghan Markle and their children during visits to the UK. His wife and children will not join Harry when the duke comes here in the summer for a preperation meeting ahead of the Invictus Games, which next year will be held in Birmingham. With this in mind, Mr Sykes added: "The time has come to untangle status from safety. But the fact that Harry has been foolish does not mean he should be unsafe." The expert shared his thoughts in a piece for The Daily Beast after Jenkinson's appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court. There, the defendant pleaded not guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour toward the former Prince Andrew near his home on King Charles III's Sandringham Estate. Jenkinson, who is from Stowmarket, Suffolk, been released on conditional bail. One of the conditions is that he must not go into Norfolk or go near any royally owned premises in the UK and another that he must not contact the victim.