Court loss hits Harry’s attempt to build bridges
Duke’s blow after battle for taxpayer-funded UK security
Royal Editor
PRINCE Harry’s efforts to rebuild relations with his family suffered a fresh blow after he lost a legal battle for taxpayerfunded security in the UK.
The High Court ruling opens the possibility of him never visiting Britain with his children, Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, again.
Harry, who lives in California, said it is too dangerous for him, his wife Meghan and kids to return to the UK without state protection.
The King has only met Archie a few times and Lilibet once, at the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Royal sources said Charles would relish the chance to spend more time with his grandchildren.
But Harry fears they cannot feel at home in the UK if it is “not possible to keep them safe”.
The Duke of Sussex’s security status was downgraded after he stopped being a working royal.
Harry said he was singled out in the 2020 decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures.
But the High Court said Ravec’s ruling was not irrational or unfair.
APPEAL
The Home Office said it was pleased with the court’s finding, adding Harry’s security would be arranged on a perceived-risk basis. Harry’s spokesman said he will appeal, adding: “The Duke is not asking for preferential treatment but for a fair application of Ravec’s own rules.”
Harry last visited the UK on February 6 after his father’s cancer diagnosis.
The Duke was at the Coronation last May, with the Metropolitan Police providing security.
The decision came as the King was seen waving to wellwishers in London yesterday.
Dai Davies, ex-head of the royal protection unit said it was disappointing Harry planned to pursue the case, estimated to have cost UK taxpayers €1.17m to date.
Harry and Meghan reportedly pay €1.75m a year on US security.
Harry’s legal team claimed al-qaeda called for him to be killed after he wrote about killing 25 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.
EX-UK Armed Forces Minister Lord Andrew Robothan said it was unwise for him to include it in his memoir if he feared he was at risk.
Harry appeared in a video calling for Wellchild Awards nominations yesterday. He is a charity patron.