Prince Harry has officially lost his long-running legal battle over security protection in the United Kingdom. The verdict affirms the UK government’s 2020 decision to strip the prince and his family of automatic taxpayer-funded police protection following his departure from royal duties. The ruling comes as Harry confirms he and his wife Meghan Markle have no plans to return to Britain.
In a recent interview, Harry acknowledged personal tensions with the royal family, but expressed a desire for reconciliation. He cited his father King Charles III’s cancer battle, saying he no longer wants to engage in prolonged disputes due to the uncertainty of time. However, King Charles reportedly has not been communicating with his youngest son.
Harry’s challenge centered on the UK’s stance that former working royals no longer qualify for public security funding. Instead, Harry is now subject to state-funded protection only in specific circumstances, evaluated on a case-by-case basis during visits to the UK.
In April, Harry’s legal team argued that he had been treated unfairly, asserting that revoking his protection exposed him to threats and that he should be allowed to pay for additional police services. That request was denied in 2023 by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which maintained that allowing such payments would set a dangerous precedent — suggesting the wealthy could “buy” security access unavailable to the general public.
The prince has consistently pursued legal action against both the British government and the tabloid press, often in opposition to royal tradition. This latest ruling marks another failed attempt to restore his preferred level of personal security while in the UK.
Despite distancing himself from royal duties and confirming his family’s permanent residence in the United States, Harry has not relinquished his royal titles or position in the line of succession. According to reports from Breitbart News, Harry remains fifth in line to the throne and continues to use his titles and privileges, even as he and Meghan embrace a life separate from the monarchy.
