Prince Harry has described himself as 'exhausted' by his protracted legal fight to restore his police protection in the UK, according to reports. The Duke of Sussex believes the removal of his security after he and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties was intended to 'force' him back into 'Britain and establishment life'.
Harry initiated legal proceedings against the Home Office over three years ago, but says he has been 'overwhelmed' by the process. Speaking after a two-day hearing at the Court of Appeal in London this week, he said the loss of his police protection was 'difficult to swallow' and that, among all his legal cases, 'this one always mattered the most'.
The prince reportedly does not feel safe bringing his children to the UK. Much of the appeal and the original hearing were held in private due to 'highly confidential' evidence. Harry stated: 'People would be shocked by what's being held back', adding that his 'worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and that's really sad'.
Harry attended the hearing in person, flying from his home in California, though he was not required to give evidence. The appeal is seen as a 'last throw of the dice' to overturn a February 2024 ruling by Mr Justice Lane, who found the government's decision to remove his security was not unfair.
The prince reportedly believes his father, King Charles, could have intervened via his private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, who sits on the Royal and VIP Executive Committee. However, Buckingham Palace denied any decision-making power, and a palace source said: 'These are matters of security and government policy and, as usual, it would be inappropriate to comment or intervene on either.' It is understood Alderton was not on the committee when the original decision was made five years ago.
Harry is said to remain estranged from his father and brother, Prince William. He last saw the King in February 2024 after Charles's cancer diagnosis, but they have not met since. A panel of three judges will deliver the appeal result after Easter.
