Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III, faced a setback in his legal battle regarding security during his visits to the United Kingdom. A judge’s ruling has confirmed that Harry will not have his previous security arrangements reinstated as he had requested.

Overview of the Ruling

The recent judgment maintains that Prince Harry will only receive state-funded police protection on a case-by-case basis during his stays in the U.K. This ruling caps off a lengthy legal challenge initiated by Harry in response to a 2020 decision by the British government.

After Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from their roles as senior royals, it was determined by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) that their security would no longer be guaranteed.

Details of the Security Decision

RAVEC’s decision also included a denial of Harry’s request to personally fund police protection for his family while in the U.K. The judge expressed understanding for Harry’s feelings of grievance; however, he asserted that the legal arguments presented did not warrant a change in the decision.

“I concluded, […] I could not say that the duke’s sense of grievance translated into a legal argument for the challenge to RAVEC’s decision,” the judge noted. “The duke was in effect stepping in and out of the cohort of protection provided by RAVEC.”

Concerns Surrounding Security Risks

Harry’s legal team previously articulated that the prince faces significant security threats, including those from extremist groups. They argued that this risk is heightened during his visits to the U.K., which has prompted Harry to restrict visits with his children.

In court, Harry’s lawyer emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “There is a person sitting behind me whose safety, whose security, and whose life is at stake.”

Background on Prince Harry and His Family

Since relocating to California, the Sussex family has not traveled back to the U.K. as a unit since 2022, when they celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Currently, they depend on a privately funded security team for their protection.

Following the ruling, Prince Harry has yet to comment on the outcome of his legal challenge.