Prince Harry has expressed his discontent regarding the withdrawal of his police protection, citing that evidence revealed during a private legal hearing has confirmed his "worst fears." The Duke of Sussex is currently engaged in a legal battle against the Home Office, challenging the decision made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) regarding the level of protection he should receive while in the UK.
This legal appeal follows a ruling by retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane, who deemed Ravec's decision, which was made in early 2020 after Harry and his wife Meghan had stepped back from their roles as senior royals, as lawful. Harry argues that the changes in his security detail were motivated by a desire to prevent him and Meghan from fully resigning as working royals and relocating abroad. Speaking to the Telegraph after the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, he commented, "people would be shocked by what’s being held back," and noted that the information he received during the proceedings was disappointing.
The appeal was heard over two days with part of the session held privately to discuss confidential evidence. Harry described feeling "exhausted" and "overwhelmed" by the ongoing legal challenges and stated that this case is more significant to him than his previous legal disputes against tabloid publications, asserting that "this one always mattered the most."
Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos, along with Lord Justice Bean and Lord Justice Edis, presided over the case and indicated that the Court of Appeal's decision would not be delivered until after Easter at the earliest. He said, “Plainly we will take our time to consider our judgments.”
After their announcement in January 2020 that they would step back from official duties, Harry and Meghan were informed during the so-called 'Sandringham summit' that they would not retain the same full-time police protection as other senior royals, such as the King, Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children. Ravec’s official decision stated on 28 February 2020 that after their departure from royal duties, Metropolitan Police protection would no longer be suitable, and that the couple would instead be provided a "bespoke" security service, which requires them to offer 30 days' notice of any visit to the UK so assessments of security needs could be made.
Harry's legal representative, Shaheed Fatima KC, contended during the appeal that Harry had been “singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment.” She stated that the duke does not accept that the term "bespoke" necessarily equates to superior security provisions. Meanwhile, the Home Office has opposed the appeal, arguing that decisions made by Ravec were based on a “unique set of circumstances” and had been tailored to each situation.
As this case unfolds, it highlights ongoing discussions about royal security arrangements and the implications for Harry and Meghan's status within the royal family.
Source: Noah Wire Services