Prince Harry 'singled out for inferior treatment' over security arrangements, lawyer says

Summary

Prince Harry is in court to appeal a decision to downgrade his security arrangements while in the UK - watch the hearing live above
The prince's taxpayer-funded protection was changed in 2020, after he stopped being a working royal
His lawyer argues he has been "singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment"
But the barrister representing the government tells the court the decision that Harry's UK security would be considered on a case-by-case basis was rightly taken
This is a big moment for Prince Harry, who says his visits to the UK are rare due to the downgraded security, Helena Wilkinson writes from court
His UK security is currently decided like other high-profile visitors - but he's arguing that's unfair as he still faces significant security threats

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Watch the moment Prince Harry arrived at court

Live Reporting

Edited by Adam Durbin and André Rhoden-Paul, with Jemma Crew and Tom Symonds in court

No confirmation on whether Harry will attend so farpublished at 09:04 British Summer Time 8 April
Jemma Crew
Reporting from court
Good morning from outside London's Royal Courts of Justice, where I'm waiting in the morning sun with a dozen or so journalists.
The appeal today is over a High Court ruling related to the level of security Prince Harry is given when he is in the UK.
We don’t know if the Duke of Sussex will be attending in person - so far there hasn’t been any confirmation from his representatives.
So for now, we wait.
Harry previously said safety of wife and children behind decision to leavepublished at 08:48 British Summer Time 8 April
Image source, Reuters
In December 2023, the High Court heard a witness statement written by Prince Harry for his case.
In it, he called the UK his "home" and said it was "central to the heritage of [his] children".
The statement, which was read by his barrister on his behalf, outlined: "It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020."
Referencing his children, he said: "The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the US.
"That cannot happen if it's not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil."
He added: "I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm's way too."
Despite losing in court, Harry has still received police protectionpublished at 08:32 British Summer Time 8 April
Tom Symonds
Correspondent
Prince Harry stepped down as a working royal in 2020 and left the UK, leaving open the question of how he should be protected when visits.
He feels that often the paparazzi get too close to him and Meghan, demonstrating the risk he faces. The fact that his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car crash while being pursued by photographers lie behind his concerns.
Prince Harry and Meghan have themselves been chased by photographers, described as "reckless" by police, during an incident in New York in May 2023.
In February 2020, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures decided that instead of the blanket VIP security provided to the senior royals, arrangements for the prince should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
He challenged the decision in the High Court, but the judge decided it was "legally sound", concluding in a lengthy judgment that issues about media intrusion were not a matter for the royal security committee. He's now taking the case to the Court of Appeal.
Despite losing in court, police officers have protected Prince Harry in the UK during his visits, which have included appearances in court for his other legal battles against the media.
Case hinges on Harry's decision to step down as senior royalpublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 8 April
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in 2016 and married in 2018.
The crux of this case rests on the pair making the decision to step down as senior royals in January 2020 and move to the US - and what protection from the British government they are still entitled to when back in the UK.
Harry remains a prince and is fifth in line to the throne.
The couple kept their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, but are no longer addressed as His or Her Royal Highness (HRH). Harry also gave up his military titles.
When Harry's father became King, the couple's two children became Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
Image source, PA Media
Prince Harry's appeal over UK security to be heard in courtpublished at 08:21 British Summer Time 8 April
Adam Durbin
Live editor
Image source, Reuters
The Court of Appeal in London will hear arguments from Prince Harry's legal team as he continues to challenge the changes to his police protection when in the UK.
The Duke of Sussex took legal action against the Home Office over a 2020 decision that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection after he and wife Meghan stepped back from life as working royals.
In February 2024, the High Court ruled that decision was lawful and dismissed Harry's case, before in April refusing him permission to challenge that ruling in a higher court.
But the Court of Appeal has now said it will hear his challenge following a direct application from Harry's lawyers - which brings us to today’s hearing.
We don't know yet if the duke will attend today's hearing in person.
We’ll be bringing you updates, analysis and reaction throughout the day. And in the next few posts we’re going to delve a little deeper into the story of how we got here.