Prince Harry “does not feel safe” in the UK representatives for the royal said in the High Court in London on Friday. The legal proceeding will determine whether the loss of his taxpayer funded police protection will be reinstated
The preliminary hearing was not attended by the Duke of Sussex, but instead by his attorney, Shaheed Fatima, who voiced the Prince’s safety concerns for himself and his family. The public-funded police protection was taken away following his and Meghan Markle‘s decision to step back from royal life in January 2020.
Prince Harry Wants to Return to ‘His Home,’ the UK, to Visit Relatives and Support His Various Charities.
Since making the decision to step away from royal life, the couple relocated to California and have been paying for private security out of pocket since their royal protection was withdrawn. In addition to taking away their UK public protection, they were also told they could not pay for themselves should they return.
What does that mean? Should the Duke and Duchess of Sussex return to the UK with son Archie Harrison, 2, and daughter Lilibet Diana, 8 months, they will not be entitled to state-funded protection and the deep level of security intelligence it entails.
“This claim is about the fact that the claimant does not feel safe when he is in the UK given the security arrangements that were applied to him in June 2021 and will continue to be applied to him if he decides to come back,” Fatima told the Royal Courts of Justice, People reports.
“And, of course, it should go without saying that he wants to come back: to see family and friends and to continue to support the charities that are so close to his heart,” the lawyer also stated. “Most of all, this is, and always will be, his home.”
Prince Harry’s concerns were highlighted when he last returned to the UK in July of 2021 for an unveiling of a statue of his mother, Princess Diana, in the gardens of Kensington Palace. Following a later charity event that same day, Prince Harry’s car was chased through the streets of London by paparazzi.
As Mamas Uncut previously reported, in September, Harry decided to remedy the issue by applying for a judicial review of the security arrangements, a legal challenge to the lawfulness of decisions taken by a public body.
RELATED: Prince Harry Seeks Legal Action In Attempt To Secure UK Police Protection
The latest hearing Friday is the first step of the process. It could result in a lengthy court battle.
His application feels especially important this year as Prince Harry and Meghan intend on visiting the UK to celebrate the historic Platinum Jubilee, marking his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth‘s 70 years on the throne.
Security issues for the royals is a tricky subject in the UK. Currently, only the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, and Kate Middleton receive 24-hour police protection.
Other “working” royals such as Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, only get state protection while carrying out official duties.
We’ll be watching to see what the High Court in London will do next.
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