Prince Harry's Battle for Security
Prince Harry has spoken out about his forced departure from the UK and his ongoing battle over his security. The Duke of Sussex is challenging the decision to downgrade his publicly-funded security detail after stepping back as a working royal in 2020.
Protecting His Family
Prince Harry explained that he left the UK to protect his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children. In a statement read out in the High Court, he expressed his sadness at having to leave his home country and emphasized the importance of his children feeling safe in the UK.
Transparency and Risk Analysis
Prince Harry's legal team argues that there was a lack of transparency in the decision to downgrade his security. They claim that the usual risk analysis was not properly applied. The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) made the decision to reduce his security level.
Forced Departure
Prince Harry stated that he felt forced to leave the UK after the security downgrade. He expressed concern for his wife's safety and his own, given his past experiences. He emphasized the importance of being able to keep his family safe while on UK soil.
Legal Proceedings
The Duke's case is being heard in the High Court, but Prince Harry himself was not present. His statement was read out on his behalf. His legal team argues that Ravec treated him differently and failed to provide adequate information about the decision.
Home Office's Response
The Home Office, on the other hand, claims that Prince Harry received a "bespoke" treatment appropriate for his unique circumstances. They argue that his position as a non-working member of the Royal Family living abroad justifies the change in his security provision.
Security Concerns
Prince Harry's team has reported security issues to the Metropolitan Police after he was "interdicted by paparazzi" at a WellChild event in 2021. However, the Home Office argues that these details were not provided within the required notice period.
The case continues as Prince Harry fights for the security he believes is necessary to protect his family.
