Prince Harry has revealed that his “worst fears have been confirmed” in relation to his security situation in the UK, as the latest round of court proceedings unfolded in London earlier this week.
The Duke of Sussex returned to Britain to attend a two-day hearing as part of his appeal against a previous High Court ruling on his protection while in the country.
Harry is contesting a decision made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which determined that he would no longer receive the same level of taxpayer-funded security since stepping back from royal duties.
Last year, High Court judge Sir Peter Lane ruled that Ravec’s 2020 decision—made shortly after Harry and Meghan exited as senior royals—was neither irrational nor procedurally unjust. The Home Office, which oversees Ravec, continues to oppose Harry’s appeal, arguing that protection decisions are made individually, based on specific circumstances.
During this week’s hearings, the Home Office emphasized that it bears no direct responsibility if a judgment is later deemed incorrect, clarifying that Ravec operates under the authority of the Home Secretary, who holds ultimate democratic accountability.
Meanwhile, Harry insisted that he and Meghan had felt compelled to step down as senior royals in 2020 due to a lack of adequate protection from the royal institution.
On Wednesday, Shaheed Fatima KC, representing Prince Harry, underscored the personal stakes involved. Addressing the Court of Appeal, she said: “We must not lose sight of the human element in this case.
A man is sitting behind me whose safety and life are on the line. He’s being told he’s receiving a special process, yet it is inferior in every way. His presence in court reflects how much this matter means to him and his family.”
In a new interview with The Telegraph, Prince Harry suggested that stripping him of police protection may have been a deliberate move to discourage him and Meghan from leaving the royal fold to pursue a more independent life. He described the ongoing situation as “difficult to swallow,” saying, “We were simply trying to build a happy home.”
Harry admitted that the process has left him “exhausted” and “overwhelmed,” stating, “People would be stunned by what’s been withheld. The legal disclosures have confirmed my worst fears, and that’s deeply upsetting.”
According to the outlet, Harry believes that King Charles is the only person who can resolve the issue, with friends suggesting that if his security were reinstated, tensions would ease.
However, palace insiders continue to argue that it would be “wholly inappropriate” for the monarch to interfere in a legal matter, although his private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, is part of Ravec.
The court’s ruling on the appeal is expected at a later date.
