Prince Harry has faced another defeat in his ongoing legal struggle against the British government regarding his security arrangements when in the U.K. The prince has been contesting the withdrawal of automatic police protection that royals typically receive, a privilege removed after he stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
This recent court outcome follows a previous loss in February 2024, prompting Harry to escalate the matter to the Court of Appeal. During last month’s hearings, his legal team argued that the removal of his security compromised the safety of Harry, his wife Meghan, and their two children. They claimed the decision, made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), breached established policies aimed at protecting royals.
Harry initially began his legal fight in September 2021 and suggested financing his security privately, a proposal rejected by Ravec due to concerns it could limit security officer availability, particularly in a country where police are typically unarmed. Despite legal setbacks, including a High Court ruling against him in 2023, he has been permitted to appeal specific legal points regarding Ravec's adherence to its own guidelines.
Throughout the duration of this case, the Duke of Sussex made several visits to Britain, including attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of his father, King Charles III. Each trip prompted individual applications for public security protection, accessing private security instead, as official arrangements were handled on a case-by-case basis.
In parallel to this case, Harry is also involved in a separate lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail, alongside various celebrities, alleging unlawful privacy breaches. A hearing for this case is scheduled for next week.
This recent court outcome follows a previous loss in February 2024, prompting Harry to escalate the matter to the Court of Appeal. During last month’s hearings, his legal team argued that the removal of his security compromised the safety of Harry, his wife Meghan, and their two children. They claimed the decision, made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), breached established policies aimed at protecting royals.
Harry initially began his legal fight in September 2021 and suggested financing his security privately, a proposal rejected by Ravec due to concerns it could limit security officer availability, particularly in a country where police are typically unarmed. Despite legal setbacks, including a High Court ruling against him in 2023, he has been permitted to appeal specific legal points regarding Ravec's adherence to its own guidelines.
Throughout the duration of this case, the Duke of Sussex made several visits to Britain, including attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of his father, King Charles III. Each trip prompted individual applications for public security protection, accessing private security instead, as official arrangements were handled on a case-by-case basis.
In parallel to this case, Harry is also involved in a separate lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail, alongside various celebrities, alleging unlawful privacy breaches. A hearing for this case is scheduled for next week.
