Prince Harry is still waiting in limbo for the outcome of a legal battle he has described as his most important. The Duke of Sussex was at the Court of Appeal earlier this month for the latest stage of a legal battle with the Home Office over the level of taxpayer-funded personal security he should receive when visiting the UK.
In February 2020, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) decided he should receive a different degree of taxypayer-funded protection when in the country after quitting as a working royal. He is appealing against a High Court ruling dismissing his case against the Home Office over the decision last year.
At the heart of the case, Harry says he cannot bring his wife Meghan or children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the UK as it is not safe for them. He has previously argued that he wants his children to know their British heritage but coming to the UK without police protection is too dangerous.
However, according to royal expert Jennie Bond, it’s not just Harry wanting to bring his children to the UK that is driving his determination when it comes to the battle – it’s also about proving a point.
The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror: “I think Harry is sincere when he says he wants his children to know and understand their heritage. And he has said publicly that he wants his father and his brother back in his life.
“But we now also know that this issue of security is like a red rag to a bull for Harry. He says it is more important than any of his other legal battles. He has a deep-rooted sense of injustice – he believes there was some kind of conspiracy to keep him ‘trapped’ within the Royal Family and to prevent him and his family from leaving the UK. And he seems intent on proving that to be the case.
“So I don’t think it really is about a burning desire to bring his children and wife to the UK. It is more about his anger at the way he believes he was treated.”
Last week a summary of some of the evidence that was heard in private during Harry’s appeal case revealed that the duke had made a request for protection following a threat from terrorists. “The Appellant confirmed that he had requested certain protection after a threat was made against him by al-Qaida,” the document said. Harry has previously said he faces a greater risk than his late mother, with “additional layers of racism and extremism”.
He believes his family faces an ‘international threat’ and has already highlighted that al-Qaida had called for him to be killed. However, Ravec’s decision shared on February 28, 2020, stated that Metropolitan Police protection would no longer be appropriate after the Sussexes’ departure from the UK and that they should receive a different degree of protection when in the country.
The Sussexes would instead receive a ‘bespoke’ security service, whereby they would be required to give 30 days notice of any plans to travel to the UK, with each visit being assessed for threat levels and whether protection is needed.
The issue of security has also reportedly proved to be a thorn in the side of the relationship between Harry and his father King Charles. People magazine reported that the divide between the pair has widened, with their last face-to-face meeting taking place in February 2024 after Charles announced his cancer diagnosis.
Harry’s calls and letters have gone unanswered and the King is reportedly keeping his distance to avoid being drawn into discussions about security, sources close to Harry believe. The duke, who is awaiting the outcome of his appeal, told The Telegraph “people would be shocked by what’s being held back” after some evidence was heard in private.
And Jennie added: “Harry must realise by now that he has put his father in an extraordinarily difficult position – suing the King’s own government. And that makes life – or indeed any conversation at all with Harry – very difficult for Charles.
“I wonder whether Harry realised at the start of this case just how hard it would make any communication with his father. Once the appeal judges have handed down their verdict, it will presumably be time for all those concerned to reassess the situation and see whether family relations can be improved.
“But shouldn’t hold your breath: Harry certainly hasn’t made things any easier by insisting on taking this court case to the highest level.”
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