Prince Harry wins major legal victory against UK government | UK | News
The Duke of Sussex’s victory could open the door to King Charles finally being reunited with his grandchildren Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, who live with their parents across the pond.
The monarch was last seen seeing the young royals in June 2022, during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Harry has since insisted it was too risky for his family to set foot on British soil without proper safety precautions.
The duke even went to war in the High Court earlier this year to restore taxpayer-funded police protection, but ultimately lost the fight, blaming it on an “institutional seam”.
Millions of dollars were spent on security in the USA
In a shocking development, The Sun reported that the Home Office had changed its mind and ordered a new review into the prince’s security situation. It is Harry’s first threat assessment since he sensationally resigned from the royal family in 2020 and set out to start a new life in the US.
At the time, the duke was considered the person most at risk after the Queen and the Prime Minister. However, it was reported that the risk rating was lowered in February 2020 and, as a result, the right to armed police protection was automatically revoked.
Harry fled to America with Meghan Markle and their son Archie after losing the royal security team. The couple gave birth to their daughter Lilibet the following year. The Sussexes’ annual security bill in the US is estimated to be in the millions.
Threat level will be re-evaluated in six years
Now, after nearly six long years, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) has finally instructed the Risk Management Board to reassess the threat to Harry. The process is said to be ongoing with the collection of evidence from the police, the government and the prince’s own team.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, which oversees Ravec, is expected to make a decision by next month. If they determine Harry needs armed police protection, this will be covered by taxpayers as long as he is on British soil.
Currently, the duke must give the Met Police 30 days’ notice before traveling to Britain so they can assess security needs on a case-by-case basis. Some argue that this ad hoc approach actually cost him more than assigning a few paid armed officers for their infrequent visits.
The Home Office previously said in May it was “satisfied” with the court decision blocking Harry’s attempt to regain automatic police protection. But the prince, who is now based in California, argued that he did not feel safe bringing his wife and children to the UK under the current circumstances.
Duke criticizes ‘establishment stitching’
In an explosive 30-minute interview, the seething royal ripped into the decision, branding it a “good old-fashioned establishment strut”.
“The other side won by keeping me insecure,” Harry said angrily. “At this point I don’t see a world where I would bring my wife and children back.”
Flying solo for family visits
Since the court battle, the duke has returned to Britain alone, including a trip in September where he attended charity events and met his father for the first time in more than a year and a half.
He also directly reached out to new Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood, requesting her to review the risk level.
A government spokesman was coy about Harry’s situation, telling The Sun: “The UK government’s protective security system is strict and proportionate.
“It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information about these arrangements as doing so could compromise their integrity and impact the safety of individuals.”
Meanwhile, the Duke of Sussex’s spokesman declined to comment on the matter.
