Government says protective system is ‘rigorous and proportionate’ as Duke expresses safety concerns
Following the Court of Appeal’s decision on May 2 to dismiss Prince Harry’s legal challenge over personal police protection in the UK, the Home Office has issued a formal response defending its security policy.
In a statement released shortly after the verdict, a Home Office spokesperson said:
“We are pleased that the court has found in favour of the government’s position in this case.
The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”
The legal dispute dates back to February 2020, when RAVEC (the Royal and VIP Executive Committee) ruled that Prince Harry would no longer automatically receive police protection while in the UK following his decision to step back from royal duties.
Although Harry, now living in California with Meghan Markle, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet, argued that this left his family vulnerable, three senior judges upheld the government’s position, stating that his feelings of grievance did not amount to a legal error.
The Duke of Sussex has since expressed devastation over the ruling and reiterated that he does not feel safe bringing his family to the UK under the current arrangements. He may still choose to pursue the case further by seeking permission to appeal to the UK Supreme Court.
