Prince Harry begins his battle with the Home Office over UK security measures

Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle lost their UK security privileges back in 2020 when they stepped down as working royals

Queen
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributor / Getty Images)

It's a monumental day for Prince Harry and his fight against the British Government. Prince Harry will hear from the Royal Courts of Justice today whether his lawsuit against the Home Office will go to court.


Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is disputing the Home Office's decision not to allow Harry and his family police protection while in the UK. The High Court hearing will happen today in London. 

Prince Harry’s lawyers will ask Mr Justice Swift to grant permission for a full judicial review of the Home Office’s decision not to provide security for Harry and his family. 

Harry lost his security rights back in February 2020, when he and wife Meghan Markle announced they would be stepping down as working royals

The Duke is challenging the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which stated that Harry and his family wouldn't have the "same degree" of personal protection when visiting the UK.

If the application is successful, Prince Harry will argue his case in the High Court. 

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, accompanied by bodyguard Christopher Sanchez (r), attend the Land Rover Driving Challenge, on day 1 of the Invictus Games 2020 at Zuiderpark on April 16, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, accompanied by bodyguard Christopher Sanchez in the Netherlands

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Duke has released a statement on the matter, putting the point forward that US security guards can't offer the same protection in the UK as they're not able to carry guns. He explains that this case is taking place, "to ensure the safety of himself and his family while in the UK so his children can know his home country."

Robert Palmer QC, for the Home Office, has previously disregarded Harry's argument as “irrelevant”.

In a written statement, he said, “Personal protective security by the police is not available on a privately financed basis, and Ravec does not make decisions on the provision of such security on the basis that any financial contribution could be sought or obtained to pay for it.”

Lauren Hughes

Lauren is the former Deputy Digital Editor at woman&home and became a journalist mainly because she enjoys being nosy. With a background in features journalism, Lauren worked on the woman&home brand for four years before going freelance. Before woman&home Lauren worked across a variety of women's lifestyle titles, including GoodTo, Woman's Own, and Woman magazine.