The Duke of Sussex has suffered a crushing legal defeat as the High Court delivered a devastating blow to his long-running battle over UK security arrangements.
In a ruling that legal observers described as watching his case 'collapse like a soufflé', three senior judges unanimously rejected Prince Harry's appeal against the decision to strip him of automatically-funded police protection when visiting Britain.
A Royal Legal Setback
The judicial review challenged the February 2020 decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC), which determined Harry would no longer receive the same level of state-funded security following his step back from royal duties.
Lord Justice Bean, delivering the lead judgment, didn't mince words in dismissing the Duke's arguments. The court found that RAVEC's decision-making process was neither irrational nor procedurally unfair.
The Security Dilemma
Since relocating to California with Meghan Markle and their children, Harry's visits to the UK have been shadowed by security concerns. The Duke had argued that the current arrangement - which requires him to request security coverage case-by-case - leaves his family dangerously exposed.
'The UK will always be my home,' Harry had previously stated, 'and I want my children to feel as safe here as they do in the US.'
What This Means for Future Visits
The ruling represents more than just a legal defeat - it fundamentally changes how the Duke of Sussex can operate in Britain. Without guaranteed state protection, each potential visit now requires:
- Advanced security negotiations with Home Office officials
- Case-by-case risk assessments
- Potential delays in approval processes
- Uncertainty about protection levels
Legal experts suggest this judgment sets a significant precedent for how former working royals are treated regarding state security, potentially affecting other members of the family who might step back from duties in future.
The decision marks another chapter in the ongoing tension between Harry and the institution he was born into, raising questions about how frequently the Duke will now choose to visit his home country given the security complications.
