Prince Harry Loses Security Battle After Stepping Down From Royal Duties

LONDON — Prince Harry has lost his appeal against the U.K. government’s decision to axe his publicly-funded security detail at Britain’s High Court.

Prince Andrew's security level was reduced in February 2020. once he retired from being a full-time member of the royal family and relocated to the United States along with his spouse, Meghan, who holds the title of Duchess of Sussex. This situation led to the British government providing security measures on an individual basis.

Harry, who ranks fifth in succession to the throne, contended that the organization tasked with safeguarding the royal family was not adhering to its established protocols. He maintained that prominent figures within the Royal Family, such as the King and his sibling Prince William, receive constant security coverage.

The Royal and VIP Executive Committee, referred to as Ravec, made the decision regarding his security measures afterwards. He and Meghan resigned from their roles as active members of the royal family. In 2020, his security arrangements in the U.K. are handled on a case-by-case basis, similar to those of other prominent international guests visiting the country.

On Friday, in their judgment, the judges Lord Justice David Bean, Lord Justice Andrew Edis, and Sir Geoffrey Vos rejected his appeal.

Sir Geoffrey Vos informed the court that Harry "effectively moved in and out of the protective group offered by Ravec."

"Beyond the U.K., he wasn’t part of the group, but within the country, his safety measures were deemed suitable based on the situation," he explained. "In my opinion, it was impossible to claim that this logic was irrational or unsuitable; actually, it appeared quite reasonable," he further stated.

In a previous document submitted to the court, his attorneys stated that Harry "was born into a lifelong security threat." They also noted that he "completed two deployment tours in Afghanistan" and that recently, his family has faced extensively reported threats from neo-Nazis and extremists.

Harry and his spouse decided "to take a step back" from their positions because they believed "they weren’t receiving protection from the organization," as stated.

Harry has mentioned that both him and his family have stated this. were under particular threat due to the mistreatment his spouse endures from certain segments of society and the press, which he claims stem from racial bias.

In February 2024, Britain’s High Court rejected his challenge, stating that the choice to alter Harry’s security arrangements was not unreasonable or conducted unfairly. He attempted to contest this decision two months later but lost the right to appeal. However, that loss of appeal rights was subsequently reversed.

Last year, Harry was unsuccessful in convincing another judge that he should personally fund the services of London’s Metropolitan Police to protect him when he visits the UK. The argument against his request came from a government attorney who contended that police officers shouldn't act as "personal security guards for the affluent."

Recently, Harry has frequently appeared in British courts, contesting his security provisions as well as taking legal action against tabloid newspapers accused of phone hacking and employing private detectives to pry into his personal affairs for journalistic purposes.

The firm owned by Rupert Murdoch, News Group Newspapers, agreed to pay "significant compensation" to Harry Following the resolution of an extended legal dispute, NGN acknowledged that from 1996 to 2011, employees at The Sun newspapers employed illegal tactics to uncover personal details regarding Prince Harry and his deceased mother, Princess Diana.

The duke is part of a celebrity ensemble as well. filing a lawsuit against another publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) , which publishes the Daily Mail, accuses it of breaking laws in its efforts to obtain information about them. The trial is scheduled to begin next year.

In 2023, he dismissed a defamation lawsuit against ANL concerning their reporting on his legal dispute about personal safety. Also in the same year, he received £140,600 ($179,350) following a successful claim of phone hacking against Mirror Group Newspapers.

In addition to these legal disputes, Harry has also faced a stormy relationship with his family after departing from the UK, which includes conflicts with his father, King Charles III, who has been battling cancer.

This piece was initially released on The News Pulse