The Duke of Sussex has been attempting to reverse a ruling made by the UK government following his and Meghan Markle’s decision to step down from their royal duties.
Prince Harry’s legal battle to reinstate police security in the UK has ended in defeat.
The Duke of Sussex had contested the removal of automatic protection for himself and his family during visits to the UK from their California residence.
This decision was made by UK authorities in February 2020, shortly after Harry and Meghan Markle announced their withdrawal from official royal duties.
In a statement last December, Harry expressed feeling compelled to step back from his royal duties and leave the UK due to security concerns for his family, including his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2.
However, on Wednesday, a High Court judge, Peter Lane, upheld the UK government’s decision, stating that it was not unlawful and had not been marked by procedural unfairness. Despite Harry’s offer to cover security costs, the court rejected his bid to regain automatic police protection.
In a statement to the court, Harry emphasized the importance of security for his children’s well-being in the UK, describing it as their home and expressing reluctance to expose them to danger.
Following the decision, Harry’s legal team announced plans to appeal, arguing for fair treatment in accordance with the rules of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC).
They asserted that RAVEC had failed to conduct a proper risk analysis in Harry’s case and that the bespoke security arrangement offered was inadequate.
Harry’s appeal signals his determination to pursue justice in the matter, with no further comments expected until the legal process unfolds.