Prince Harry’s determination to challenge the ruling in his U.K. security case shows that he wants to increase his visits to his home country, a royal commentator has suggested.
On Thursday, the Duke of Sussex won the right to appeal a High Court ruling that dismissed his lawsuit challenging the British government’s decision to take away his police protection when visiting the U.K.
Speaking to GB News, historian and royal author Gareth Russell commented on Prince Harry’s move to continue seeking permission to appeal the decision after losing his initial attempt to do so back in April.
“I do think the resurrection of these legal proceedings indicates that he does want to spend more time in the United Kingdom than he currently does,” Russell suggested.
Prince Harry leaves after the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023 in London, England. (Photo : Dan Charity – WPA Pool/Getty Images)© Provided by Enstarz
The royal expert pointed out that the process of appealing the High Court decision will be “expensive” for Prince Harry, who is said to have already spent millions of dollars on legal bills across various lawsuits over the past four years.
“[The appeal] does seem to be something that matters to him very much, whether it is about proving himself correct and vindicated against people who he perceives as opponents, or a decision that he felt was unjustified when he stepped away from being a senior working royal, isn’t exactly clear,” Russell said.
“Certainly, it would indicate he would want to spend more time in the United Kingdom, but that would be contingent on securities,” he added.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex looks on during day six of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 15, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo : Lukas Schulze/Getty Images for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023)© Provided by Enstarz
The U.K. government — specifically the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) — downgraded Prince Harry’s security after he and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in early 2020.
The Duke of Sussex filed a lawsuit challenging this decision, claiming that his family was endangered when visiting the U.K. because of hostility toward him and Markle.
Prince Harry offered to cover the costs of police security, but his bid was ultimately rejected.
In February, a British judge ruled that the RAVEC’s decision to provide “bespoke” security to Prince Harry was not unlawful.
At the time, Prince Harry’s spokesperson said the royal planned to appeal the decision and insisted that the RAVEC “failed to apply its written policy” when it came to the Duke of Sussex’s security in the U.K., People reported.
Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex leaves after attending a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, at St Paul’s Cathedral in central London, on May 8, 2024. (Photo : JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)© Provided by Enstarz
Prince Harry last brought Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the U.K. in 2022 when the family attended Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Since then, Prince Harry has returned solo to the U.K. several times, but most were brief visits.
Back in February, the royal made a quick trip to his home country to visit his father, King Charles III, after it was announced that the monarch had been diagnosed with cancer.
Prince Harry returned three months later for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
Britain’s Meghan (L), Duchess of Sussex, and Britain’s Prince Harry (R), Duke of Sussex arrive at the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary. (Photo : KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images)© Provided by Enstarz
