Prince Harry has called for a review of the body that handles royal security. This came after he lost his legal battle over his security arrangements while in the UK.
Harry Challenges Ravec’s Decision
Harry took legal action against the Home Office. He disputed Ravec’s decision to reduce his security while visiting the UK. The Court of Appeal rejected his appeal on Friday.
Following the ruling, Harry spoke to the BBC. He stated, “I would ask Yvette Cooper to look at this very, very carefully.” He added that the royal family’s control over security could be used to control family members.
Concerns About the Role of Security
When asked if Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer should intervene, Harry responded, “I think that based on the judgment that the court has put out today, it clearly states that Ravec are not constrained by law. Again, I wish somebody had said that from the beginning.”
He continued, “Yes, I would ask the Prime Minister to step in. I would ask Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, to look at this very, very carefully and I would ask her to review Ravec and its members, because if it is an expert body, then what is the Royal Household’s role there, if it is not to influence and decide what they want for the members of their household?”
The Background of the Legal Battle
Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to California after first leaving the UK. This change led to Ravec reassessing Harry’s security needs.
In court, Harry argued that Ravec failed to follow its usual protocol. Normally, it consults a risk management board. However, the court sided with Ravec, stating the decision was understandable.
Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos explained that Ravec’s decision was “understandable and perhaps predictable.” He also said Harry’s legal team didn’t prove the earlier ruling was wrong. Since Ravec’s policies are private, he supported the decision to create a custom plan for Harry’s visits to the UK.
Harry Expresses His Fears Over the Ruling
Harry shared his concerns about the ruling’s broader implications. He warned, “I think what really worries me more than anything else about today’s decision, depending on what happens next, it sets a new precedent that security can be used to control members of the family, and effectively, what it does is imprison other members of the family from being able to choose a different life.”
He added, “If, for me, security is conditional on having an official role, one that both myself and my wife wish to carry on, but then was rejected, not by Ravec, was rejected by the Royal Household, and the result to that is you lose your security. That basically says you can’t live outside of their control if you want to be safe.”
The Impact on Harry’s Family
Due to the court’s decision, Harry stated that it would now be impossible to bring Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, back to the UK safely. He said, “I can only come to the UK safely if I am invited, and there is a lot of control and ability in my father’s hands.”
He also emphasized, “Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him, not by intervening, but by stepping aside and allowing the experts to do what is necessary.”
Criticism of the System
Harry also criticized the previous government’s involvement in the matter. He said, “That said, this all was initiated under a previous government. There is now a new Government. I have had it described to me, once people knew about the facts, that this is a good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up, and that is what it feels like.”
Government’s Response
The Home Office welcomed the ruling. A spokesperson commented, “We are pleased that the court has found in favour of the Government’s position in this case. The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”
