Prince Harry Should Have Police Protection; Duke 'Easy Target For Motivated Terrorists,' Security Expert Says

Prince Harry's request to personally pay for his police protection in the U.K. received mixed responses from the public, but one security expert has openly voiced support for him.

The Duke of Sussex asked for a judicial review after the U.K.'s Home Office turned his request for police protection down twice. Graham Yuill, 63, an SAS-trained ex-soldier, agreed that the Duke of Sussex should be given police protection because private security is not allowed to carry guns and would not be able to protect him.

The security expert who served as a bodyguard to the commander of the British forces during the Troubles told Mirror he was "alarmed" at the Home Office's decision because Prince Harry could be an easy target for terrorists.

"I was quite alarmed by the news, to be honest, because terrorists listen to and pick up things like this," he said. "People forget that groups like the IRA and al-Qaeda are still around."

He continued, "Harry will be an easy target for motivated terrorists because his security won't be able to react."

Yuill noted that most private security in the U.K. got their license by simply going through a week-course, but they are not primed or well-trained to handle the actual terrorist situation. They won't also check bombs under the cars and won't be able to recognize a threat if there is one.

"There are former special forces soldiers and excellent former royal protection officers available in private security firms, but they can't be armed. I know who these kinds of people are, but the biggest issue is they're not allowed to have a firearm — it's illegal," he explained. "So people can have all the training you want, they can look smart and look intimidating, but there's nothing you can do if you're not armed. If a sniper ranges in at 1,500 feet away, if they were to fire a shot, there's no way you can react."

He added that Prince Harry could be an easy target in Scotland, where there is a lot of open space. So, it would be best for him to have police protection.

Meanwhile, Dai Davies, an operational unit commander for royal protection from 1995 and a former divisional commander in the Metropolitan Police Service, argued about Prince Harry's security request. According to him, it was "unprecedented." Also, it was decided that "the risk at this stage is deemed low."

He also didn't believe that Prince Harry was not safe in his home country, saying the duke was "creating scenarios that do not exist." He added that if his family needed protection, it would be provided.

"If ever there was a proper credible threat to Prince Harry or his family, then the Met would take the appropriate action," he said. "If he or his family were to return to Britain in an official capacity or to support the Queen during the Platinum Jubilee events, I’m sure he would be afforded the necessary protection."

Meanwhile, royal expert Kristin Contino, author of "A House Full of Windsor," said the situation was "hard" for Prince Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Contino told Us Weekly that despite that, Her Majesty would not go up against the government's decision.