Prince Harry Has Two Close Encounters with a Known Stalker During Recent U.K. Visit

During a recent trip to the United Kingdom, Prince Harry experienced two troubling close encounters with a woman previously identified as a stalker. The incidents have reignited concerns about the duke’s personal security and the legal framework surrounding his protection in the U.K.

According to Reuters, a source revealed that the unnamed woman—who is believed to suffer from mental health issues—managed to approach within feet of the Duke of Sussex on two separate occasions while he was in London.  On September 9, Harry attended the WellChild Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, where the woman penetrated a “secure zone” and got dangerously close.  The following day, she was photographed near him during his visit to the Centre for Blast Injury Studies in west London.

Sources told People Magazine that there was no official police presence or close protection during these moments. Instead, only two staffers from Harry’s private office intervened. Their success was attributed largely to quick recognition of the individual, leading one security insider to observe: “Relying on luck is not a long‑term fix.”  The same report noted that the woman has a documented history of stalking Harry and Meghan Markle, including following them to Nigeria last year.

A more detailed account emerged in media reports stating that the woman was discovered hiding in a hotel restroom around 20 minutes before Harry’s arrival at the WellChild event. She was allegedly making “odd comments” and was then escorted out. In the subsequent incident at the Centre for Blast Injury Studies, staff reportedly “body‑blocked” her when she attempted to approach the prince. 

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Legal Landscape & Security Battle

These security breaches occurred shortly after Harry lost a high‑stakes legal appeal seeking the reinstatement of state‑funded U.K. protection.  On May 2, 2025, the Court of Appeal dismissed his challenge, upholding the decision that his security in the U.K. must be handled on a case‑by‑case basis rather than as an automatic entitlement. 

In his ruling, Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos described Harry as “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.” Vos added that he did not find the government’s rationale “illogical or inappropriate.” In response, Harry said the judgment confirmed his “worst fears” and expressed disappointment. 

Earlier reporting notes that in 2024, Harry’s first appeal attempt had already been rejected.  The Court of Appeal later granted him permission to challenge the decision directly. 

Legal arguments during the appeal emphasized that Harry may have been “singled out” for inferior treatment, especially given the security risks he faces due to his profile, military service, and global public presence.  But the Home Office defended its position by arguing that the security system must be responsive and tailored. 

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Expert Opinions & Risk Assessment

Neil Basu, former head of counterterrorism for the Metropolitan Police, has publicly urged that Harry deserves strong protection. Basu noted that the prince “and Meghan had among the highest threat assessments within the royal family,” emphasizing that obsessed individuals or “fixated persons” pose some of the greatest risks to public figures.  In a July 2024 interview with People, Basu said “Harry’s military service, his global recognition and his marriage to a mixed‑race woman all contribute to his high threat level.” 

A security source also told People that incidents like these are “not uncommon for members of the royal family,” but what set this apart was the absence of formal protection during the breach.  The source added, “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.” 

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The Royal Visit & Family Relations

Beyond the security drama, Harry’s U.K. trip also featured a significant personal moment: on September 10, he visited Clarence House and spent nearly an hour with King Charles III, sharing tea together. This marked their first face‑to‑face meeting in over 19 months.  The previous encounter, in early 2024 just after the revelation of the king’s cancer diagnosis, lasted less than 30 minutes.  Royal insiders suggested the recent meeting may represent a cautious step toward rebuilding trust.  As Ailsa Anderson, former spokeswoman to Queen Elizabeth II, told People, “It’s a massive step in the right direction … It’s a building of trust.” 

However, observers warn that true reconciliation will take time and substantive actions beyond symbolic encounters.

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Ongoing Concerns & Unresolved Tensions

While Harry continues to voice alarm over his family’s safety in the U.K., and his legal team has expressed that he “does not feel safe” bringing his wife and children without formal protection, the legal and institutional barriers remain.  Some commentators argue that the system is ill‑equipped to provide tailored yet consistent protection to non‑working royals, and that these recent trespasses may tip the public debate. 

The breaches serve as a stark reminder: while private staff may intervene in isolated incidents, safeguarding high‑profile individuals in public settings requires robust, predictable, and professional security frameworks—not luck, fleeting vigilance, or reactive measures alone.