Prince Harry appeared at the Court of Appeal in London on Tuesday to contest the UK government’s decision to scale back his publicly funded police protection during visits to Britain.
The dispute stems from a 2020 decision by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC), which downgraded Harry’s security following his and Meghan Markle’s withdrawal from official royal duties. While the couple relocated to California and stepped away from their senior roles, Harry remains a royal and is fifth in the line of succession.
This marks a rare visit to the UK for the Duke of Sussex, who is engaged in a legal battle with the Home Office—the department responsible for RAVEC—arguing that the decision was unfair and procedurally flawed. Tuesday’s hearing is an appeal against a High Court ruling that previously upheld RAVEC’s actions as lawful.
In court, Harry sat quietly several rows behind his legal team, sipping water and listening attentively to proceedings. He is not expected to give testimony, and a judgment is anticipated at a later date.
His legal representative, Shaheed Fatima KC, claimed the Duke had been “unfairly and unjustifiably” treated differently by the committee. She argued that RAVEC failed to follow its established process, notably by not conducting a formal risk assessment through its Risk Management Board before reaching its conclusion in early 2020.
According to Fatima, expert input that would typically inform such decisions was bypassed in favor of a custom, “so-called bespoke” approach. She further asserted that Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles because they felt unprotected by the institution, although they had intended to continue supporting Queen Elizabeth II in a private capacity.
Representing the Home Office, barrister James Eadie KC countered that the decision did not completely eliminate security for Harry, but instead revised the terms based on his altered status and permanent move abroad. He said tailored arrangements were introduced, which reflected the duke’s changed circumstances.
“There are no definitive right or wrong answers here,” Eadie told the judges. “This is an area requiring judgment calls based on broad criteria, and the security professionals involved played a crucial role in the decision.”
Some aspects of Wednesday’s session will be held privately, as officials review classified information concerning the security of royal family members and VIPs.
Harry has been vocal about concerns for his family’s safety, often referencing the fatal car crash that claimed the life of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997 while fleeing paparazzi in Paris.
In a written statement during a prior hearing in 2023, the duke said he wants his children—Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet—to view the UK as their home just as much as the U.S., but he cannot risk exposing his family to danger.
“I won’t put my wife or myself at unnecessary risk,” he said, citing personal experience and the importance of safety.
Although Harry’s initial challenge was dismissed, the Court of Appeal granted him permission to proceed in June 2024 following a direct application from his legal team.
This case is among several legal battles the Duke has pursued in the UK. Earlier this year, he settled with Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers over claims of unlawful data collection between 1996 and 2011. He described the resolution as a “monumental victory.”
Tuesday’s court appearance also comes on the heels of controversy surrounding his resignation from Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in memory of his mother. The organization’s chair, Sophie Chandauka, accused Harry of bullying and misogynistic behavior. In response, the duke said he was “shocked” and “heartbroken” by the accusations. The UK’s charity regulator has since launched an inquiry.
King Charles III, Harry’s father, is currently overseas on a state visit to Italy alongside Queen Camilla and is not expected to be in the country during the hearing. The royal couple received a ceremonial welcome in Rome on Tuesday and met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace.
