Error Formatting Cell Text on Protected Worksheet Even With "AllowFormattingCells"

[Ark68]

I have this code:

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
    Dim xRet As Boolean
    Dim fname As String
    Worksheets("GUI").Activate
    Call part1
    
    With ws_front
        .Protect AllowFormattingCells
        .Activate
        '.Unprotect
        mbevents = False

        ws_front.Range("D4") = " - Surname, Given -"
        ws_front.Range("D4:F4").Font.Italic = True
        ws_front.Range("D4:F4").Font.Size = 11
        ws_front.Range("D4:F4").Font.Color = RGB(0, 0, 0)

        ws_front.Range("D5") = "- Select -"
        ws_front.Range("D5:E5").Font.Italic = True
        ws_front.Range("D5:E5").Font.Size = 11
        ws_front.Range("D5:E5").Font.Color = RGB(0, 0, 0)

        .Range("D4").Select
        '.Protect
        mbevents = True
    End With

I am getting an error - "Unable to set the Italic property of the Font class".

This is because the sheet is protected, but I added the "AllowFormattingCells" in an effort to exclude that.