Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has lost a court battle over the extent of publicly funded security he can have when visiting the United Kingdom. The decision gives the UK government the go-ahead to implement a “bespoke” and less expensive protection package for the Sussex family on visits to Britain.
Harry Claims Discrimination and Risk to Life
Harry’s lawyers asserted that he was being “singled out” for “inferior treatment” and stated his “safety and life were at risk” after standard royal protection was removed after he stepped back from royal duties in 2020. His appeal was centered on the ruling issued by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which lowered his security status.
Court Backs Ravec’s 2020 Ruling
Earlier, a judge in the high court determined that Ravec’s action, taken in February 2020, was legitimate, despite protest by the Duke. Harry’s lawyers claimed the court made a mistake and tried to have the decision reversed.
Ravec determined that Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, no longer deserved Metropolitan Police protection after quitting as senior royals. They would instead have a new system of security, which is done on an individual basis.
Under the new arrangement, the Sussexes will now have to provide a notice of 30 days prior to any visit to the UK. Every visit would be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine the degree of threat and what security arrangement would be in place.
Government Defends Altered Security Status
The Home Office held that Ravec’s decision reflected the shift in the Sussexes’ public role and was not discriminatory. The court ruling entrenches the government’s position that royal protection on a full-time basis is for working members of the royal family.
The ruling represents another legal defeat for Prince Harry, who has filed a series of privacy and media coverage-related lawsuits over the past few years.
