Why is Prince Harry appealing court ruling over UK security downgrade?

Prince Harry’s legal battle over security arrangements in the United Kingdom has returned to court.

The **Duke of Sussex** appeared at the Court of Appeal in London on Tuesday as a two-day hearing began in his case.

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So, what is this dispute about?

The case revolves around the decision to remove publicly funded police protection for Harry and his family during visits to the UK.

It dates back to 2020 and is one of several legal matters the prince has brought before the High Court in recent years.

In this report, we break down what the case is, what has taken place in court up until now, what is currently happening, and when a verdict might be delivered.

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Explained: What is Harry’s case over security arrangements in the UK?

Prince Harry had been entitled to full, publicly funded security protection until he stepped away from royal duties and moved to the United States with his wife Meghan in March 2020.

Notably, the case centres on a decision made on February 28, 2020, stating that Harry and **Meghan** would no longer be eligible for the protection while in the UK, following their decision to give up their official roles.

Harry has challenged this, arguing that his private security team in the US does not have access to sensitive UK intelligence - something he believes is crucial for ensuring the safety of his wife and children while in Britain.

However, he is not asking the public to bear the cost of this security. He wants to fund it himself while receiving the same level of protection as before.

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In 2022, he wrote to a government official raising concerns over the early stage of his legal challenge. According to The New York Times, Harry claimed his family faced increased threats due to “additional layers of racism and extremism” and said police protection from the Metropolitan Police was essential.

He also suggested that the decision may have been “some form of punishment for protecting my family and putting them first” - a claim denied by the British government.

His legal representative previously said, “The UK will always be Prince Harry’s home and a country he wants his wife and children to be safe in.

“With the lack of police protection comes too great a personal risk.”

“In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home.”

What has happened in the case until now?

Harry filed a judicial review challenge shortly after the Home Office decided to withdraw his publicly funded security. The first hearing at the High Court took place in February 2022.

During that hearing, Robert Palmer QC, representing the Home Office, said Harry’s offer to personally pay for protection was “irrelevant” in the eyes of the law, despite the duke’s stated concerns over safety, according to Sky News.

The case concluded on February 28, 2024, when retired High Court judge Peter Lane ruled against Harry.

Three months later, the duke was granted permission to appeal, but only on limited legal grounds - specifically, whether the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) had acted in breach of its own guidelines, The New York Times reported.

Meanwhile, Harry has travelled to the UK several times, including for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and King Charles III’s coronation. On each occasion, he funded his own private security.

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The court heard that Harry’s legal team had applied to Ravec for protection during each of these visits.

Following the February ruling, a spokesperson for the duke said he would appeal, adding: “The duke is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules, ensuring that he receives the same consideration as others in accordance with Ravec’s own written policy.”

Harry reaches court for the 2-day hearing

Harry arrived at London’s Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday for a two-day hearing as he challenges the UK government’s decision to downgrade his security.

The Duke of Sussex, who smiled and waved on arrival, listened closely in the packed courtroom, occasionally jotting notes to his legal team.

His lawyer, Shaheed Fatima, argued that Ravec, the body responsible for protecting royals and public figures, had treated him in a “bespoke” manner, unlike anyone else.

“It means he has been singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment,” Fatima told the court, clarifying that Harry was not demanding the same protection he had while performing royal duties, but a fair application of existing policy.

The appeal comes against the backdrop of a separate, tense dispute between Harry and the CEO of his charity Sentebale, founded in memory of his mother, Princess Diana.

Sophie Chandauka, the charity’s chief executive, has accused Harry of bullying and racism. The Duke, who stepped down from his role at the organisation, described the episode as “heartbreaking.”

When will the verdict be declared?

The hearing wraps up on Wednesday.

The Court of Appeal may issue a ruling the same day or choose to “reserve judgment,” potentially taking weeks or months before delivering a verdict, The New York Times reported.

Either side can seek permission to appeal to the UK Supreme Court, depending on the outcome.

With inputs from agencies