PRINCE Harry insists he should still receive taxpayer-funded security as he is in “immediate” line to the throne, court papers say.
The Duke of Sussex is suing the Home Office because it refused to spend taxpayers’ money on bodyguards.
Harry, 37, who quit royal duty and privileges that come with the job to live in California with Meghan Markle two years ago, says he feels “unsafe” in the UK.
He wants to fund his own Met Police armed bodyguards but the Home Office refused and insiders are saying police are not “guns for hire”.
Harry is also arguing that his private protection team in the US does not have adequate jurisdiction abroad or access to UK intelligence information which is needed to keep his family safe.
The Duke’s case is being heard by Mr Justice Swift in London’s High Court this morning – but Harry is not attending in person.
Court papers filed by the Home Office claim Harry believes the ruling made in February 2020 by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) is “wrong in law”.
The documents state: “He says RAVEC was wrong in law not to have considered him to remain in its cohort because he falls within ‘the immediate line of succession’.”
It says Harry believes he should be provided with security by the police “on all occasions” when in the UK “because of his particular personal circumstances”.
The papers also claim that Harry’s offer of funding was “notably not advanced to Ravec” at the time of his visit in June 2021, or in any pre-action discussions.
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The claim comes after a spokesperson for Harry said he offered to pay for police protection at the end of January 2020 at the Megxit summit but the offer was rejected.
Harry’s bid for a review of the Home Office decision was filed in September and has not yet been granted or denied permission for a full hearing.
Shaheed Fatima QC, for Harry, said: “This claim is about the fact that the claimant does not feel safe when he is in the UK given the security arrangements applied to him in June 2021 and will continue to be applied to him.”
She continued: “It goes without saying that he does want to come back to see family and friends and to continue to support the charities that are so close to his heart.
“Most of all, this is and always will be, his home.”
The hearing heard an application by both sides for some parts of the court documents in the case to be kept private.
Mr Justice Swift said he would not deliver a ruling on the application today.
It is believed to be the first time a member of the Royal Family has sued Her Majesty’s government.
But it comes just six weeks before Harry wants to come back to Britain for a Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey with the Queen.
He also wants to come back for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.
The Sussexes were stripped of their round-the-clock protection when they stepped back from royal duties two years ago.
PROTECTION ROW
Harry has moaned he is unable to return with Meg, Archie and Lilibet, “because it is too dangerous”.
He gets security when he stays at Frogmore Cottage or attends royal events but has to fend for himself if he wants to see friends and visit his UK charities.
A legal representative for the duke said: “Prince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life.
“He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats.
“While his role within the institution has changed, his profile as a member of the royal family has not. Nor has the threat to him and his family.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed whilst in the UK. In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home.”
Buckingham Palace has not wanted to comment.
The hearing at the High Court continues.
