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In a stunning display of outrage, Prince Harry has erupted in fury over the British government's refusal to grant him VIP security status, fueling an escalating royal scandal that has sent shockwaves through the monarchy.
According to a report by the Daily Express, the Duke of Sussex, who stepped back from his senior royal duties in 2020, has been embroiled in a bitter legal battle with the Home Office after they downgraded his protection detail, a move he vehemently opposes. News broke this week that Prince Harry has been given the green light to appeal a High Court ruling that upheld the government's decision, reigniting the firestorm surrounding his security arrangements in the UK.
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Royal author and commentator Angela Levin shed light on the Prince's motivations, claiming he launched the appeal because "he was going away with Meghan for a tour, a world tour, which made my heart pump because this is going to be another copy of what the Royal Family is like and he wants to be covered." Levin scathingly added, "Well it's not on our tax, frankly," underscoring the public's frustration with the notion of British taxpayers footing the bill for the Duke's security after his departure from royal life.
The Prince had initially sought to have his appeal heard by the end of July, driven by fears that the ruling could influence how other countries approach his security, but this request was denied. Levin further stoked the controversy, asserting that the fact British taxpayers might contribute to Prince Harry's protection is a "joke."
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At the crux of the matter is a judge's previous conclusion that the Prince is not in a comparable position to those in the "other VIP category" who are entitled to state security, a ruling that Levin claims has left Harry incredulous, stating, "So he was - sort of - put in his place, but I don't think he can believe that."
The Duke first took legal action in February 2020 when the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) decided he should receive a different degree of protection than other members of the Royal Family. In a scathing judgment in February this year, High Court judge Peter Lane rejected Harry's claims that the decision was unfair, ruling that the decision by the Home Office and Ravec would stand. However, in a stunning reversal, Harry has now been granted permission to appeal the verdict at the Court of Appeal, according to an order from Lord Justice Bean dated May 23, 2024.
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In his ruling, Sir Peter had argued that the Prince's lawyers had made "an inappropriate, formalist interpretation of the Ravec process" during the High Court case, adding, "The 'bespoke' process devised for the claimant in the decision of February 28, 2020, was, and is, legally sound." Sir Peter accepted the decision of Ravec's former chairman Sir Richard Mottram, arguing that he would have reached the same conclusions back in 2020 even if presented with the Prince's argument then.
Security arrangements for the Royal Family are delegated by the Home Office to Ravec, who also handle security for other high-profile overseas guests. Following the initial ruling earlier this year, a spokesperson for the Duke insisted, "he is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec's own rules, ensuring that he receives the same consideration as others in accordance with Ravec's own written policy."
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"In February 2020, Ravec failed to apply its written policy to the Duke of Sussex and excluded him from a particular risk analysis," the spokesperson continued. "The Duke's case is that the so-called 'bespoke process' that applies to him is no substitute for that risk analysis." The spokesperson concluded defiantly, "The Duke of Sussex hopes he will obtain justice from the Court of Appeal, and makes no further comment while the case is ongoing."
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The legal battle over Prince Harry's security arrangements in the UK has been ongoing since his decision to step back from royal duties in 2020, a move that has sparked intense debate and scrutiny. While the Prince and his wife Meghan Markle have established a new life for themselves and their family in California, the issue of security during visits to the UK has remained a contentious and divisive issue.
The appeal process will allow Prince Harry to make his case once again for being afforded the same level of protection as other members of the Royal Family, a stance that has drawn criticism from those who question why he believes he should still be entitled to such treatment after stepping away from his royal role and duties.
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