Prince Harry has been unsuccessful in his attempt to appeal the London High Court’s decision to remove taxpayer-funded security protection for him and his family. The court found that the decision to strip the Sussexes of their security was not unlawful and was justified, with no influence of unfairness. As a result, Harry and Meghan Markle will now have to personally pay for their family’s security when visiting the UK.
In a recent ruling, Judge Lane ordered Harry to pay 90% of the UK Home Office’s legal costs for defending the court’s initial ruling. While the government had argued for the dismissal of Harry’s claim, the judge ultimately decided that Harry was responsible for the majority of the legal costs. Despite some breaches and misapprehensions on the part of the defendant, there was only a modest reduction in the amount Harry was obligated to pay.
Harry’s legal team had requested a 50% reduction in the costs, but Judge Lane rejected this argument, stating that Harry comprehensively lost his claim. The Duke of Sussex had initially sought a judicial review of the government’s refusal of his offer to hire private security officers, as he and Meghan were stripped of funded police protection after moving to the US in 2020. This decision was initially denied by the High Court in May 2023.
While Harry is expected to return to the UK next month for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, the trip has yet to be confirmed. Celebrations are believed to take place at St. Paul’s Cathedral, though details are still pending. Despite the loss of taxpayer-funded security protection, Harry and Meghan will need to make their own arrangements for security when in the UK. The legal battle over security funding for the royal couple has resulted in Harry being held responsible for the majority of the Home Office’s legal costs.
