Home Office 'pleased' with Prince Harry High Court decision as Duke loses battle

28 February 2024 , 12:01

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lost their UK taxpayer-funded security after moving abroad (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The Home Office has said it is "pleased" a court has found in favour of the Government’s decision to limit Prince Harry's police protection in the UK.

Duke of Sussex, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, lost their UK taxpayer-funded security because they moved to the United States and quit royal duties in 2020. Harry since wanted protection while visiting his homeland and claimed he and his family were endangered because of the hostility towards him and his wife on social media.

He appealed against the decision but the High Court today upheld the Government’s call. The Home Office said: "We are pleased the court found in favour of the Government's position in this case, and we are carefully considering our next steps. It would be inappropriate to comment further.

"The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security."

Duke of Sussex took legal action against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec). Today, the High Court concluded there was no unlawfulness in reaching the decision that was made on February 28, 2020.

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High Court judge Sir Peter Lane found that any departure from policy was justified. He added that the decision was not irrational or marred by procedural unfairness.

Armed British police officers hold their weapons as they secure a procession route outside Windsor Castle ahead of Harry and Meghan's wedding (AFP via Getty Images)

The Government argued that the Duke's protection while in the UK should be considered on a "case-by-case" basis. They added that Ravec was entitled to make the call they did. Home Office lawyers previously told the court that the Duke was no longer a member of the group of people whose "security position" was under regular review by Ravec, but he was "brought back within the cohort in the appropriate circumstances".

Yet, 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.

But the Duke’s lawyers previously told the court that he was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” in the decision to change the level of his taxpayer-funded personal security.

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