Prince Harry Loses Appeal Over Personal Security Downgrade
The United Kingdom’s Prince Harry has been denied the opportunity to appeal the reduction in his personal security when visiting the country, as ruled by a court on Monday. The decision comes after the British government informed him in 2020 that he would no longer receive the same level of publicly funded protection while in the UK.
Court Ruling and Legal Action
In February, the High Court deemed the British government’s actions as lawful. High Court judge Peter Lane, in a 52-page judgment, stated that the process established for Prince Harry by a committee under the interior ministry’s jurisdiction was legally sound.
Security Concerns and Relocation
Prince Harry, also known as the Duke of Sussex, along with his wife Meghan Markle, moved to North America in 2020, eventually settling in California. He is no longer considered a working royal. During a hearing at the High Court in December, Prince Harry expressed that security concerns were hindering his visits to the UK, emphasizing the importance of keeping his family safe.
“The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children,” Prince Harry’s statement read. “That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way, too.”
Legal Battles and Lawsuits
Prince Harry has been involved in various legal battles in the UK, including disputes related to alleged phone hacking by newspapers. He recently settled a legal claim against Mirror Group Newspapers and is pursuing legal action against the publisher of the Daily Mail. Additionally, he and actor Hugh Grant are suing News Group Newspapers, a part of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.
