Prince Harry made a rare appearance in London on Tuesday, stepping into the Royal Courts of Justice to challenge the UK government's decision to downgrade his personal security following his departure from royal duties—an action his legal team slammed as “unjustified.”
The Duke of Sussex is appealing a 2020 ruling by the Home Office, which determined he would no longer receive automatic police protection when in the UK, despite his high-profile status and ongoing safety concerns. While the High Court previously upheld the government's position, the Court of Appeal agreed to revisit the matter after a direct request from Harry’s legal team.
Arriving with a wave and a smile, Harry took his place in the courtroom for the two-day hearing. His attorney, Shaheed Fatima, told the judges that the treatment Harry received from the government security body—RAVEC (the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures)—was irregular and discriminatory.
“He has been treated differently and unfairly,” Fatima argued, adding that Harry was not asking to be treated like a full-time working royal, but rather to be protected appropriately based on credible threats to his life.
Among those threats, court filings mention that terror group al Qaeda had recently singled him out, and recall the harrowing 2023 car chase in New York City involving paparazzi, which he and his wife Meghan Markle described as a "near-catastrophic" pursuit.
Throughout the session, Harry—now a California resident—listened attentively to the proceedings, though it remains uncertain whether he will reconnect with his family during this visit. King Charles and Queen Camilla are currently on a state visit to Italy, coinciding with the couple's 20th wedding anniversary.
The court case also overlaps with the launch of Meghan's new podcast, where she revealed her struggle with postpartum pre-eclampsia, adding another deeply personal dimension to a week of intense media focus on the couple.
Separately, Harry is also locked in a heated fallout with the CEO of his charity, Sentebale, which he co-founded in memory of Princess Diana. CEO Sophie Chandauka has accused him of racism and bullying, allegations Harry called “devastating” and “untrue” after stepping down from his role in the organization.
Back in court, the government's lawyer, James Eadie, defended RAVEC’s decision, stating it wasn’t a total denial of protection, but rather a shift in the level and nature of security appropriate for a non-working royal residing abroad. Eadie maintained that the “bespoke” arrangement designed for Harry actually offered flexibility tailored to his unique situation.
This legal battle is just one of several that the prince has undertaken in recent years, including lawsuits against major UK tabloids for alleged breaches of privacy and phone hacking.