Harry, the Prince, expresses deep regret over the unsuccessful attempt to reinstate his taxpayer-financed protection services within the UK.
Revised Article:
Prince Harry's bid for reinstating his regular police protection took a turn on Friday, with the court ruling against him, leaving him in a lurch.
The Duke of Sussex expressed deep disappointment, stating the legal challenge has caused a rift with his father, King Charles III. Speaking to BBC, he lamented, "Old Man just can't speak to me about this bloody security nonsense."
Harry's estrangement from the royal family escalated since he stepped down from his duties and moved to the US in 2020. The publication of his tell-all memoir, with its juicy details about the House of Windsor, didn't exactly help matters.
On Friday, Harry shared his dismay, stating that the court verdict made it impossible to ensure the safety of his family if they were to return to the UK. "I'd love to reconcile with the fam, but chances are slim now."
Charles, aged 76, is dealing with an unspecified type of cancer, and Harry has met him only once briefly since the diagnosis. Harry expressed his love for his homeland but lamented that he could only visit for funerals and court appearances.
Last month, Harry made a rare appearance at the Court of Appeal, where his lawyer argued that Harry was in danger and was being subjected to unfair treatment compared to other royals. Alas, the three judges ruling unanimously on Friday found the decision to withdraw his security reasonable.
Justice Geoffrey Vos, in his 21-page judgment, sympathized with Harry but said that his frustrations weren't grounds for contesting the decision.
Given the outcome, Harry might have a hefty bill to foot—UK government's legal fees, in addition to his own attorney costs.
The court's decision upheld an earlier High Court verdict made in 2021. A government lawyer argued that Harry's argument was baseless and repetitive of his unsuccessful lower court plea.
Harry and his wife, Duchess Meghan, stepped back from their royal roles in 2020, claiming they didn't feel secure in the family. Since then, a Home Office committee ruled that there was no justification for publicly funded security for the Duke and Duchess within the UK.
Harry insists that he and his family face threats due to hostility on social media and media persecution. Since losing government-sponsored protection, he's faced at least two serious security threats. To cushion his children from such dangers, Harry says, he cannot bring them back to the UK.
Facing this wall of resistance, Harry has challenged royal family conventions by taking the government and tabloid press to court. Despite mixed results, he's secured significant victories against Daily Mirror's publisher and Rupert Murdoch's UK tabloids, settling privacy invasion lawsuits. He has a similar case pending against the Daily Mail publisher.
- Ignoring the court's decision, Prince Harry might appeal further, aiming to restore his family's safety when returning to the UK.
- The ruling against Harry's bid for reinstating police protection, based on policy-and-legislation and politics, has exacerbated the rift between him and King Charles III.
- In the midst of his legal battles, Harry's focus on crime-and-justice issues, such as threats and media persecution, has escalated, with general-news outlets often reporting on his courtroom appearances.
- Harry's victory against Daily Mirror's publisher, Rupert Murdoch's UK tabloids, and his ongoing lawsuit against the Daily Mail publisher, combined with his attempts to challenge royal family conventions, have made him a notable figure in law and appellate courts today.
- Faced with a hefty bill for legal fees following the court decision, Harry might need to rely on additional resources, like his memoir sales or TV appearances in the US, to fund his continued legal struggles in the battle for his family's safety.
