Why is Prince Harry suing the Home Office? What did High Court say and challenge over UK security explained

The Prince lost his right to security when both he and his wife stepped down from the royal family and announced they would no longer be working royals
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Prince Harry has won a bid to challenge the Home Office over payment for his security whilst in the UK to the High Court.

The Duke of Sussex decided to take legal action after a decision would not allow him to pay for police protection for himself and his family when they visited the UK.

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The case, which began earlier this month saw the Prince’s lawyers ask permission for a review into the Home Office’s decision.

The judgement from the High Court this Friday (22 July) announced the case could proceed and that the Duke was entitled to a judicial review.

Here’s everything you need to know about why the Prince is suing the Home Office and his challenge over UK security explained.

Why is Prince Harry suing the Home Office?

The Duke is challenging the Home Office’s decision to not allow him and his family to have police protection whilst visiting the UK.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London (Pic: Getty Images)Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London (Pic: Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London (Pic: Getty Images)
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He lost his right to security, when both he and his wife stepped down from the royal family and announced they would no longer be working royals.

The Duke is challenging the decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) in February 2020.

Ravec told him after he stepped down that he would no longer have the “same degree” of security if he visited the UK.

What did the High Court say?

High Court Justice Swift has said the case could proceed and that it was “allowed in part and refused in part.”

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The Duke’s lawyers had argued that the security arrangements set out by Ravec were invalid as the Prince had not been given the chance to make “informed representations beforehand.”

The Duke’s lawyer Shaeed Fatima QC, told the court earlier this month: “He didn’t know at that stage that the Royal Household was involved at all.

“He was told it was an independent decision.”

However, lawyers for Ravec have said that the Duke’s UK security would be considered on a “case by case” basis.

Justice Swift ruled that the grounds for judicial review were “arguable” and granted permission.

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However he denied that the Duke should have been made aware who was on the Ravec committee saying: “In the course of submissions, it became apparent that, while the claimant may have had disagreements with persons who were Ravec committee members, there was no evidence at all to support a claim that any committee member had approached decisions with a closed mind.”

Why does Prince Harry have to pay for security?

When the Duke and his wife stepped down as working royals in 2020 they lost access to their security when in the UK.

The Duke is seeking to challenge this decision and has released a statement, explaining that US security guards are unable to offer the same protection in the UK as they cannot carry guns.

He explained the case was taking place “to ensure the safety of himself and his family while in the UK so his children can know his home country."

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He added: “Personal protective security by the police is not available on a privately financed basis, and Ravec does not make decisions on the provision of such security on the basis that any financial contribution could be sought or obtained to pay for it.”

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