By Sheila Mckenzie-
Prince Harry is taking legal action against the British government, alleging unfair, unlawful, and unjust treatment regarding the withdrawal of his police protection while in the UK, as revealed in London’s High Court on Tuesday.
The Duke of Sussex, who, along with other senior royals, previously received publicly-funded security protection provided by the state, faced the decision to cease this protection when he stepped back from royal duties and moved to California with his wife Meghan in 2020.
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Despite the potential for Harry to cover the security costs himself, the Home Office decided in February 2020 that he would no longer automatically receive personal police security while in Britain.
Last year, Harry was granted permission to challenge this decision.
Though Prince Harry was not present in court on Tuesday, his lawyer, Shaheed Fatima, argued that the decision was “unlawful and unfair,” emphasizing the importance of the right to security and safety.
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Fatima claimed that the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) deviated from its own written policy for the first time and failed to provide a reason for singling out Harry.
Fatima argued that Harry, the Duke of Sussex, had been treated “less favorably” than others and maintained that he should be given state security due to the threats and risks he faces.
The government’s lawyer, James Eadie, contended that the change in protection was a result of Harry’s change of status to a non-working royal. Eadie stated that Harry would be treated in a “bespoke” manner, occasionally included within individuals receiving publicly-funded protection.
The legal battle revolves around the right to security, a matter Prince Harry views as of paramount importance. The hearings are being held mostly in private to prevent the compromise of security measures. In May, the High Court ruled against Harry’s challenge to pay for his own police protection, with arguments against allowing wealthy individuals to “buy” specially trained officers as private bodyguards.
The legal proceedings mark another chapter in Prince Harry’s ongoing efforts to secure the safety of his family and address press intrusion, which he links to the death of his mother, Princess Diana.
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