Prince Harry Admits Feeling ‘Exhausted’ After Years-Long Legal Battle Over UK Police Protection
Prince Harry has revealed he feels “exhausted” following a protracted legal battle with the UK government over the removal of his right to police protection while in Britain, The Guardian reported on April 12.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Duke of Sussex believes the decision to strip him of UK police security was a deliberate attempt to “force” him to return to royal duties. The move, he claims, was intended to coerce him into resuming a life he and his wife, Meghan Markle, chose to leave behind in 2020.
In response, Prince Harry launched a legal challenge against the British Home Office, seeking to reverse the decision. However, he has since admitted that the legal fight — which has dragged on for over three years — has left him overwhelmed and emotionally drained.
Following a two-day appeal hearing at the Court of Appeal in London this week, Prince Harry spoke candidly to The Telegraph, describing the loss of his police protection as “unacceptable.”
“Of all the legal cases I’ve pursued — including those involving tabloid newspapers — this has always been the most important,” Harry said. The Duke emphasized that the safety and security of his family are paramount and that the current situation makes him feel unsafe bringing his children back to the UK.
Much of the appeal proceedings, as well as the original hearing, were held in private due to the highly sensitive nature of the evidence presented, which included classified intelligence. Harry claimed that the public would be “shocked” if they knew the extent of what is being withheld.
“My biggest fear has been confirmed through the disclosure process,” he said. “It’s incredibly sad.”
Though not required to testify, Prince Harry traveled from his home in Montecito, California, to London for what has been described as his “last chance” to overturn the UK government’s ruling.
In February 2024, the Duke lost his initial legal challenge against the Home Office after Judge Lane ruled that the decision to withdraw his police protection was not unlawful or unfair. The judgment concluded that Harry, no longer an active member of the Royal Family, was not entitled to publicly funded security on the same basis as working royals.
Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles in early 2020, a move that stunned the British public and the monarchy. Since then, they have settled in the United States with their two children, Archie and Lilibet. The couple’s departure, often referred to in the media as “Megxit,” resulted in the loss of several royal privileges, including the automatic provision of police security when visiting the UK.
Prince Harry has argued that his unique status and the threats he faces due to his royal background should entitle him to a specific level of protection, regardless of his current residence or official duties. In legal filings, his team has highlighted “clear and persistent threats to his safety” that remain active despite his departure from royal life.
The case has sparked ongoing debate about royal security, public spending, and the role of non-working royals in Britain’s constitutional monarchy. Critics of Harry’s legal action argue that it is unreasonable to expect the British taxpayer to cover the security costs of someone who no longer performs royal duties. Supporters, however, contend that his high-profile status and the risks associated with it merit continued protection.
As the legal process continues, Prince Harry’s commitment to securing a safe return path for his family remains clear — but so too does the emotional toll it has taken on him.
“This fight is not about privilege,” Harry has previously said. “It’s about doing what’s necessary to ensure my family is protected.”
