Recently, in a surprising twist, Prince Harry received support for his lawsuit to restore state-funded bodyguards through a television news broadcast in the UK.
A court order published last Friday allowed Prince Harry’s case to proceed to the Court of Appeal in London. This legal battle stems from a decision made by a government committee in February, which led to the removal of his full-time, state-funded security when he stepped back from his royal duties in 2020.
Unlike other senior royals like King Charles, Prince William, and Princess Kate who receive around-the-clock Metropolitan Police protection, Prince Harry was provided with a bespoke security service decided upon by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee.
Harry’s legal team contests that the process followed by the committee in revoking his security was flawed. They argue he should be treated similarly to other VIP public figures for the purpose of security decisions.
Out of the five grounds presented to the Court of Appeal, Harry’s team was granted permission to argue on one and a half grounds as stated in the recent court order.
Despite some progress in court this week, there was a setback as well. Judge Royston noted the complexity of the case, cautioning against premature excitement.
In the order issued by Lord Justice David Bean, he acknowledged the validity of the previous ruling but hinted at the potential success of an appeal on one ground.
Additionally, the request for an expedited appeal process was denied. The Judge emphasized that all cases should follow due process and not be expedited based on personal status.
The ongoing legal saga concerning Prince Harry’s security status remains a noteworthy aspect. It further delves into the nuances of VIP protection and the criteria underlying such decisions.