Prince Harry asserted that he was compelled to step back from his royal duties and relocate from the UK to the US. In a written statement presented in the High Court during his legal challenge against the Home Office regarding changes to his security arrangements, Harry expressed concerns about the safety of his children in the UK. He emphasized that if it’s not possible to keep them safe on UK soil, they cannot feel at home there. The Duke of Sussex argued that leaving the UK in 2020 was the only option for him and his wife Meghan.
Harry’s legal challenge revolves around the decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) to alter the level of his publicly funded security. His lawyers argued that this change was both “unlawful and unfair.” The majority of the proceedings were held privately due to confidential evidence related to security measures.
Harry’s barrister, Ms. Fatima, claimed that he was treated less favorably, and Ravec failed to conduct a proper risk analysis. She argued that if the proper procedures had been followed, the outcome would likely have been different. The government countered, stating that Ravec was entitled to a case-by-case assessment and a bespoke security approach.
The judgment on Harry’s legal action is pending, and this security case is one of five High Court claims involving the Duke. The other cases include litigation against newspaper publishers. Harry, currently residing in North America with Meghan and their children, announced their decision to step back as senior royals in January 2020. The security case revolves around the contention that Harry should receive state security due to the threats and risks he faces, considering his status as the son of HM the King. The Home Office argued that there is no recognized common law right to publicly funded protection, emphasizing that Harry has been treated in a bespoke manner based on his changed circumstances.
