How Harry's security bill compares to other royals as he awaits court result
As Prince Harry awaits a court outcome over his security, questions have been raised over how much his bill compares to other royals.
The Duke of Sussex has been embroiled in a long battle with the Home Office over his security costs when he visits the UK, citing concerns for his and his young family's safety. A High Court verdict is due later today.
The case comes after he took legal action against the government over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK. Harry’s lawyers previously told the court that he was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” in the decision.
The ongoing legal battle could cost taxpayers a total of £1millon, the royal family’s former head of protection Dai Davies told GB News. Meanwhile, a freedom of information request submitted by Metro revealed the Home Office had footed a bill of £407,827 in legal fees since Harry’s case started.
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The Duke of Sussex has been embroiled in a long battle with the Home Office (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)While the exact cost of the royal family's security has never been disclosed for security reasons, it's estimated to be several millions and could be as much as £100million. Figures from the 2012 royal wedding of William and Kate revealed security for the major event cost police more than £6 million - half of which was spent on officers' overtime pay.
The total spent by the force for Harry and Meghan's 2018 royal wedding was £2,364,690, in comparison, according to figures obtained later that year by The Guardian. It's understood that the security bill from the Coronation, which saw tens of thousands line the streets, totalled in excess of £150million.
That bill included the fees for rooftop snipers and implementing a no-fly zone for the day as the world's eyes watched the momentous occasion. The King has tightened The Firm's security costs in recent years, with less senior royals such as Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex only guarded by police protection officers while carrying out official duties and engagements.
The issue of security costs sparked a row back in 2011 after Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were told they would no longer be covered. It's understood that the then-Prince Charles stepped in after Eugenie racked up huge security costs as she travelled the world on her gap year.
In the judgement for Harry's case, a High Court judge said the case could proceed, granting permission for part of his claim to have a judicial review. Mr Justice Swift said it was "arguable" whether the duke "should have had the opportunity to make representations direct to Ravec", including the opportunity to comment. But he denied permission for other parts of Harry's claim, including his argument that he should have been told who the members of Ravec were.
The judge said: "The application for permission to apply for judicial review is allowed in part and refused in part. In the course of submissions it became apparent that while the claimant may have had disagreements with persons who were Ravec committee members, there was no evidence at all to support a claim that any committee member had approached decisions with a closed mind, or that either decision was affected by bias.”
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