EXCLUSIVE: A close protection operative who has been on hand at big royal events while also working with the likes of Stormzy and Louis Tomlinson gave an insight into his unique job

A close protection operative revealed just how intense it can get being on duty at historic royal events.

Ryan Barby, a former Airborne soldier who served in Afghanistan, has worked with the likes of Stormzy and One Direction stars Louis Tomlinson and the late Liam Payne during his surveillance career.

But he has also had the honour of being active during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee before her funeral in the same year.

And he revealed the huge differences between missions involving celebs compared to assisting the Royal Family’s personal protection team as an ex-military bodyguard.

Ryan, who is from Nottingham and joined the army aged 16, said: “The difference being on the high profile jobs is you have to stay switched on 24/7.

Ryan was on duty at the Queen’s state funeral ( 
Image:
Ryan Barby)

Stormzy was one of Ryan’s clients ( 
Image:
Ryan Barby)
“When it goes live there are cameras absolutely everywhere from all media around the world so it would be a massive embarrassment for you within the industry to be caught on your phone or messing around not paying attention. You could potentially be thrown off task on the spot with no second chances.”

The highly trained officer has also supported the American Secret Service during Joe Biden’s visit to Edinburgh.

His first experience with the royals meanwhile was being given a military medal by the then Prince Charles in 2008 for Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.

But one of the biggest moments of his career was being on active duty on September 19, 2022, when Queen Elizabeth was given a state funeral.

Despite the magnitude of it, MMA fighter Ryan said he treated it like any other job and that he tried to not let emotions impact his performance.

And giving further insight, he said: “It was a very unique role that day, assisting many different world leaders and their close protection teams. It was extremely interesting watching how they all operate because every nation uses different tactics.

“I would never disclose any tactics used but it was a good learning curve and great experience seeing world class operators in action.”

Ryan, who was also part of a response team looking out for terrorist threats at the Queen’s Jubilee, added: “Her majesty carried a lot of respect around the world and it was clear to see that day she will be deeply missed and she powerfully cemented herself in the history books that’s for sure with a reported more than one million people turning up.”

The bodyguard has worked with a number of big celebrities ( 
Image:
Ryan Barby)

The distinguished bodyguard worked five nights during the Jubilee where it was a minimum of 12 hours per day – and described it as a “great highlight” given his background in the army.

He had to remain on his feet all day but said his military career prepped him well, and he concluded: “The proudest moment for me is knowing I am doing this work for my children.

“So no matter how tough it gets I have to keep going for them.”