Prince Harry loses appeal over downgraded UK security arrangements
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lost their public security protection after stepping back from royal duties in early 2020.
- In May 2025, the Court of Appeal ruled against Harry's appeal regarding his downgraded security arrangements.
- The ruling means that his security will remain evaluated on a case-by-case basis while visiting the UK.
In the United Kingdom, Prince Harry has faced significant challenges surrounding his security arrangements since he and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped away from official royal duties in early 2020. The couple relocated to the US and subsequently lost the automatic security provisions they received as senior royals. Harry began legal proceedings against the Home Office in September 2021, seeking to restore public funding for their police protection when visiting the UK. A High Court in February 2024 ruled that the decisions made by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), which is responsible for determining security for royals, were not unlawful or procedurally unfair, despite Harry's argument that he was subject to inferior treatment. His legal team contended that his change in status did not warrant a decrease in protection based on the threats he faced, which included security risks highlighted in court related to potential assassination threats from groups like al-Qaida, as well as persistent media harassment. In May 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling from the High Court that Harry's security levels would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis rather than through automatic coverage, and concluded that his sense of grievance did not constitute grounds for an appeal. The decision underscores the complexities of royal security protocols, particularly when involving individuals who have chosen to disengage from their formal royal roles.