Prince Harry will continue his legal battle in London this week as he challenges the British government’s decision to cut back his personal security when he visits the United Kingdom.
The 40-year-old royal, who stepped away from official royal duties in 2020 and relocated to the United States with wife Meghan Markle, says the downgrade in his protection makes it unsafe for him and his family to visit his home country.
“The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children,” Harry said in a written statement read out by his lawyers at a 2023 hearing. “That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”
Following his exit from the royal family, the UK’s interior ministry decided Harry would no longer receive the same level of publicly funded security. That decision was upheld by the high court in February 2024, but Harry has now been granted a hearing at the Court of Appeal.
His legal team argues the decision was “unlawful and unfair,” saying Harry was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” by the committee responsible for royal protection. The government, however, maintains that the approach to his security is now assessed on a case-by-case basis.
This legal case is not his only ongoing dispute. Harry is also facing criticism from the Sentebale charity, which he co-founded in southern Africa. After stepping down as its patron, the charity’s chair accused him of bullying and misconduct. Harry has denied the claims and called them “blatant lies.” The UK’s charity regulator is now investigating.
