In a recent ruling, Prince Harry was denied the automatic police protection typically afforded to royal family members, raising concerns over his family's safety during their visits to the UK.
Prince Harry's Legal Setback on UK Security Rights
Prince Harry's Legal Setback on UK Security Rights
Prince Harry faces a continuing struggle over his security arrangement in the UK after losing his legal battle against the British government.
Prince Harry has once again found himself on the losing end of a court decision regarding security arrangements while in the UK. Dismissed by the Court of Appeal, his appeal centered on the withdrawal of state-funded police protection after he and his family stepped back from royal duties and relocated abroad in 2020.
During a two-day hearing last month, Harry’s legal representation argued that the loss of royalty-provided protection left him, his wife Meghan, and their two children vulnerable, describing it as "inferior treatment." They claimed that the decision made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) was not only unlawful but also contravened established policy.
Ravec, a body composed of government officials, police representatives, and royal household members, made the choice to strip Harry of his protection amid concerns about the implications of allowing private funding for security measures. The committee believed that permitting such payments could diminish the number of hired close protection officers available in the UK, where police forces are generally not armed and require specialized training.
This legal fight dates back to September 2021 when Harry first challenged the committee's decision. Although he offered to cover the costs of his security himself, Ravec denied this request, asserting that it was fundamentally wrong in principle.
Harry has faced subsequent losses in court concerning funding emerging from his case—first in 2023 and again on broader grounds in February 2024. However, an appeal was granted on specific legal points regarding Ravec's adherence to its own policies.
Notably, during the course of this prolonged legal battle, Prince Harry has returned to Britain multiple times, attending significant events such as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III. Each visit has necessitated individual applications for public protection, further complicating the security arrangements, which have required him to resort to private security services.
In addition to his ongoing struggle regarding security, Prince Harry is also engaged in a separate legal dispute against the publisher of the British newspaper Daily Mail, alongside several other celebrities, alleging unlawful information gathering concerning their private lives, with a hearing set for the coming week.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
During a two-day hearing last month, Harry’s legal representation argued that the loss of royalty-provided protection left him, his wife Meghan, and their two children vulnerable, describing it as "inferior treatment." They claimed that the decision made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) was not only unlawful but also contravened established policy.
Ravec, a body composed of government officials, police representatives, and royal household members, made the choice to strip Harry of his protection amid concerns about the implications of allowing private funding for security measures. The committee believed that permitting such payments could diminish the number of hired close protection officers available in the UK, where police forces are generally not armed and require specialized training.
This legal fight dates back to September 2021 when Harry first challenged the committee's decision. Although he offered to cover the costs of his security himself, Ravec denied this request, asserting that it was fundamentally wrong in principle.
Harry has faced subsequent losses in court concerning funding emerging from his case—first in 2023 and again on broader grounds in February 2024. However, an appeal was granted on specific legal points regarding Ravec's adherence to its own policies.
Notably, during the course of this prolonged legal battle, Prince Harry has returned to Britain multiple times, attending significant events such as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III. Each visit has necessitated individual applications for public protection, further complicating the security arrangements, which have required him to resort to private security services.
In addition to his ongoing struggle regarding security, Prince Harry is also engaged in a separate legal dispute against the publisher of the British newspaper Daily Mail, alongside several other celebrities, alleging unlawful information gathering concerning their private lives, with a hearing set for the coming week.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
