Prince Harry lost his battle for taxpayer-funded security in the UK a long time ago, according to PR expert Ed Coram James, CEO of British firm Go Up. The Duke of Sussex recently lost his High Court privacy case against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, with Judge Mr Justin Nicklin ruling that Harry failed to prove allegations of unlawful information gathering.
Security Denial and Family Visit
Harry is currently in the UK to launch the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were expected to join him but stayed in the US after it was confirmed that Harry would not receive tax-funded police security. It is understood they could still join him in Birmingham later.
PR Expert's Analysis
Ed Coram James told Vanity Fair: "He lost the battle a long time ago. Ultimately, people in the UK don’t want him to have private security. They just don’t, because they don’t like the guy. They don’t like his wife." He added: "Even if it’s right that he gets a security detail, I think it would be bad for the popularity of the Royal Family if he got a security detail."
Legal Battles and Departure
In the months before Harry and Meghan left the UK, Harry launched two lawsuits against tabloid publishers. He joined a group of high-profile claimants including Elton John, David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence to sue Associated Newspapers. The Go Up CEO said Meghan and Harry made "the massive mistake of thinking the British tabloid system is something you can fight against."
Private Security Costs
For the last six years, the royal couple have paid for private security in the US. Their tax-funded security was revoked after they gave up their royal duties. The couple have been paying for their own private security since stepping back as senior royals in 2020.
