Prince Harry has expressed his desire for his children to feel at home in the UK, yet he voiced concerns over their safety, the High Court has been informed. The Duke of Sussex revealed that
although the UK holds sentimental value for him, he and Meghan felt compelled to depart in 2020 due to safety concerns.
His legal challenge against the Home Office pertains to the decision to reduce his security protection when visiting. The case revolves around changes in publicly-funded protection following his transition away from being a full-time working royal in 2020. Since then, Prince Harry has been residing in the US with Meghan and their two children.
The security committee overseeing arrangements for royal and VIP security opted in 2020 to no longer provide Prince Harry with the automatic level of security granted to senior royals. Instead, security levels would be assessed based on perceived risks, akin to other visiting dignitaries.
Prince Harry's legal team contests the decision, deeming it "unlawful and unfair." During the hearing, his barrister emphasized that the references to Harry no longer being a full-time working royal were misconstrued as a choice, which he refuted.
In a statement submitted as part of the case, Prince Harry expressed his deep attachment to the UK as his home, underscoring its significance to his children's heritage. However, he asserted that ensuring their safety in the UK is imperative for their sense of belonging, given the current circumstances.
The court proceedings, which spanned two and a half days and largely addressed security arrangements, have concluded. Prince Harry now awaits a verdict from Mr. Justice Lane in the coming days.
Earlier in the week, Prince Harry's legal team argued against the lack of transparency in the decision-making process and highlighted perceived discrepancies in treatment compared to others. The Home Office's stance, however, emphasizes a shift in Harry's position, citing his non-active royal status and residence abroad as reasons for altered security arrangements.
The court heard that while publicly-funded police security would continue for Prince Harry, it would now be personalized, tailored specifically to him, deviating from the blanket security provided to full-time working royals. The Home Office maintained that the issue of impact was indeed considered, disputing claims suggesting otherwise and referencing the historical context of Princess Diana's tragic death. Photo by DoD News Features, Wikimedia commons.