Prince Harry was escorted out of a courtroom by his bodyguards during a legal hearing concerning his security arrangements in the UK. The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Court of Appeal, where the Duke of Sussex is contesting a prior ruling made by the High Court regarding his protection while in the country.
The hearing focuses on a challenge to the decision made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that determined Prince Harry would receive lesser protection now that he resides in the United States. The Duke, who arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London for the second day of proceedings, has been involved in a legal dispute over how his safety is managed during his visits to the UK.
The events unfolded when a supporter of the Duke shouted, "I support you Prince Harry," after the court paused proceedings to clear the room. The comment drew the attention of Prince Harry's security team, who quickly intervened to ensure his safe exit as the woman added, "If you’re members of the press, you’re the reason he’s no longer in England."
During the hearing, which included both public and private sessions, Prince Harry, reportedly, was seen writing notes and conferring quietly with his legal team. The appeal is significant as it follows a ruling by retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane, which upheld Ravec's decision, made in early 2020, determining the security level afforded to the Duke after he and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down from their roles as senior royals.
Shaheed Fatima KC, representing Prince Harry, asserted that the considerations taken by Ravec in estimating his protection status were unjust, stating that the use of a "bespoke process" for the Duke did not necessarily equate to better protection. She emphasised that such a procedure had resulted in the Duke being treated differently and potentially inferior in terms of safety measures when compared to others.
As proceedings continue, the legal discussions centre on the impact of these decisions not just for Prince Harry, but also concerning royal security protocols in a changing social landscape. The hearings in this case will be closely monitored due to the high-profile nature of those involved and the implications it may hold for the future of royal protection.
Source: Noah Wire Services