‘£1m bill’ for Harry over lost police protection

PRINCE Harry was yesterday ordered to pay 90 per cent of the public’s legal bill after losing his High Court battle with the Home Office for downgrading his police protection.

He potentially faces a bill of around £1million when his own legal bills are taken into account.

Mr Justice Lane rejected a bid to halve the amount, saying the Duke of Sussex had ‘comprehensively lost’ his case.

Separately the judge also threw out the prince’s application to appeal against the ruling.

Last night Harry appeared undeterred as his solicitors Schillings said he will seek to challenge the decision.

He lost his two-year battle in February after taking the Home Office to court over no longer being given the ‘same degree’ of protection after he and his wife Meghan left royal life and Britain in early 2020. The Home Office has so far spent £514,000 fighting the case, according to figures released via a Freedom of Information request recently.

Mr Justice Lane ordered the duke to pay 90 per cent of the public’s legal costs.

His own legal bills have not been revealed but could be similar to those of the Home Office.

Harry was given a 10 per cent discount after the judge penalised the Government for a delay in providing key documents.

The judge also revealed Harry had been forced to apologise for breaking confidentiality rules by sharing private information from the High Court case with the MP and veterans minister Johnny Mercer. He said the breach had been detected by Harry’s own lawyers who alerted the court.

The Home Office said: ‘While we are pleased with the decision of the court to refuse permission to appeal, it would be inappropriate to comment further.’