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Prince Harry loses UK legal bid over police protection

By AAP Newswire

May 2, 2025

Prince Harry has lost his legal challenge to changes to his security arrangements made by the United Kingdom government following his decision to step down from royal duties with his wife Meghan.

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Harry, King Charles' younger son, had sought to overturn a decision by the Home Office - the ministry responsible for policing - which decided in February 2020 he would not automatically receive personal police security while in the UK.

Last year, the High Court in London ruled the decision was lawful and that decision was upheld by three senior Court of Appeal judges.

The Court of Appeal on Friday ruled unanimously that a committee had not treated Harry unfairly when it decided to review his protection on a case-by-case basis each time he visits the UK.

The ruling is likely to leave the Duke of Sussex with a large bill to pay the UK. government's legal fees - in addition to his own lawyers' costs.

It was not immediately clear if he would try to appeal to the UK Supreme Court.

The ruling upheld a High Court judge's decision last year that concluded that a "bespoke" plan for the Duke of Sussex's security was not unlawful, irrational or unjustified.

Harry made a rare appearance for the two-day hearing last month as his lawyer argued that his life was in danger and the Royal and VIP Executive Committee had singled him out for inferior treatment.

Harry claimed that he and his family are endangered when visiting his homeland because of hostility aimed at him and Meghan on social media and through relentless hounding by news media.

with AP

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press