by Ajadi Ashraf, kaduna.
Prince Harry is moving forward with a legal challenge at the London Court of Appeal over the UK government’s decision to downgrade his personal security arrangements during visits to Britain.
The 40-year-old royal, who stepped back from official duties in 2020 and relocated to North America with his wife Meghan, launched legal action after being denied the same level of publicly funded protection granted to working royals.
Following an earlier rejection of his case by the High Court in February 2024, Harry was initially refused the right to appeal. However, a judge later granted permission, paving the way for this week’s hearing.
At the heart of the dispute is a February 2020 decision by the interior ministry and the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC), which manages security for public figures. Harry’s legal team argues that the decision was “unlawful and unfair,” claiming he was “singled out” and treated less favourably due to his changed royal status.
Speaking through his lawyers at a 2023 hearing, the Duke of Sussex stressed the importance of safety: “The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children… I cannot put my wife in danger like that.”
Much of the two-day appeal hearing, which begins Tuesday, will be held behind closed doors due to national security concerns. It remains unclear whether Harry will appear in person, as the court date coincides with the launch of Meghan’s new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.
The legal battle follows mounting concerns for Harry’s safety when visiting the UK, especially in light of the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi in Paris.
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