Prince Harry pictured in UK for first time in over 6 months for High Court security case
The Duke of Sussex is appearing at the High Court today.
Prince Harry arrives at court for appeal over security procedures
Prince Harry has been seen in the UK today for the first time in over six months as he attends his High Court security case hearing. The Duke of Sussex, who was wearing a smart suit and tie, has been in a legal battle with the Home Office after a decision was made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.
This decision was made after Harry, 40, and his wife Meghan Markle, 40, quit their royal duties and moved to the US during that same period. The High Court was told that the decision was made due to a change in the duke’s “status” after he stopped being a “full-time working member of the royal family”. In a judgment in February last year, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected the duke’s case and concluded Ravec’s approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair.
Prince Harry has arrived at High Court this morning (Image: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
However, Harry appealed against the ruling, with this appeal set to be heard in court in London on Tuesday and Wednesday.
He has stated publicly that he will not bring his wife or children Prince Archie, five, or Princess Lilibet, three, to the UK until he feels it is safe.
In an order published on Wednesday last week, Sir Geoffrey Vos, Lord Justice Bean, and Lord Justice Edis said that the parties’ opening submissions and arguments related to “non-confidential facts” will be held in open court, which the press and the public can attend.
However, parts of the hearing that concern “confidential facts” will be held in private, meaning the press and public cannot attend.
Harry has returned to the UK for the case (Image: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
The prince was permitted to challenge Sir Peter’s original ruling in June last year
His lawyers previously told the High Court that the duke was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” in Ravec’s decision, arguing that a failure to carry out a risk analysis and fully consider the impact of a “successful attack” on him meant the approach to his protection was “unlawful and unfair”.
The Government argued that Ravec was entitled to conclude that the duke’s protection should be “bespoke” and should be considered on a “case-by-case” basis.
The Duke of Sussex waved at reporters as he entered the Royal Courts of Justice this morning. When asked whether he had spoken to his dad King Charles, Harry remained silent.
The duke appeared to be in good spirits as he arrived this morning (Image: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)