Prince Harry Loses Legal Appeal and Faces Reduced Security in the UK

Prince Harry has suffered another legal defeat in his ongoing battle with the British government after the Court of Appeal in London rejected his request to overturn a decision regarding his personal security. The ruling confirms that the Duke of Sussex will not automatically receive publicly funded police protection during visits to the United Kingdom, following the protocol established by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) after Harry stepped down from royal duties in 2020.

The court upheld that the new “tailored” security arrangement, assessed on a case-by-case basis, is both lawful and appropriate considering Harry’s current status as a non-working royal and his residence in the United States. Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos acknowledged that Harry’s arguments were “powerful and heartfelt,” but emphasized that a perceived sense of unfairness does not constitute a legal basis for overturning RAVEC’s decision.

Harry’s legal team had argued that he was treated unfairly and subjected to a discriminatory process, which resulted in a reduced level of protection. They pointed to specific threats to his safety, including references in extremist group documents and a recent paparazzi chase incident in New York, as evidence of the continued risks he faces.

As a result of the court’s decision, Prince Harry will now be required to notify authorities in advance of any planned trips to the UK, allowing time for his need for protection to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, he has been ordered to cover the majority of legal expenses related to the case, which are estimated to exceed £1.5 million.

This legal loss further intensifies the strain between Prince Harry and the British royal family. Sources close to the Duke have indicated that he views King Charles III’s lack of support as a contributing factor in the conflict. Harry has also voiced concerns over his family’s safety, stating that without proper guarantees, he does not feel comfortable bringing his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Archie and Lilibet, to the UK.

With this ruling, Harry now faces a critical decision: accept the current security limitations or pursue additional legal action, potentially through the Supreme Court — though experts suggest it is unlikely the case will meet the high threshold of public interest required for such an appeal.