Prince Harry faced a significant setback when a judge, visibly irked, refused to withdraw his security lawsuit amidst new evidence coming to light. This turn of events left Harry disheartened, concluding his three-day legal skirmish with the government in disappointment. Harry had been seeking a second chance in the high court to argue his case, but this new development thwarted his efforts. Back in 2020, a decision was taken to cease automatic police protection for Prince Harry in the UK. Fast forward to the present, and Harry is embroiled in a legal tussle with the Home Office, alleging unfair treatment since he and Meghan moved to California.
His legal team contends that he faces a unique risk due to his royal birthright and previous status, arguing that he was always considered a vital figure by the royal protection executive community.This situation begs the question: Does Harry’s royal birthright entitle him to state-funded security, even after stepping down as a senior royal? The judge’s reaction to the new evidence was telling. The exasperation and subsequent decision to dismiss the case suggest the weight of this undisclosed evidence.
Harry, once a cherished prince, now faces criticism for what some view as an attempt to cling to the privileges of his royal past, despite distancing himself from the royal family. This leads to a broader debate: Is this legal struggle genuinely about security, or is it a strategic play for attention and sympathy as public sentiment evolves? With mixed responses from the public, Harry’s motives are increasingly scrutinized. Is the lawsuit about genuine security concerns, or is it an effort to retain royal privileges? This royal reckoning leaves much to consider.
In related news, even if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle triumph in their security battle against the Home Office, their estrangement from the royal family is likely to persist. Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal expert, suggests that their reduced standing in the UK may deter them from returning. He notes that while they had full police protection as senior working royals, they lost this privilege upon stepping down. Fitzwilliams points out that winning the case would validate Harry’s perception of unfair treatment, but losing would only intensify his bitterness. He observes that Harry’s offer to pay for security was already rejected in court, and either outcome won’t likely diminish his grievances against perceived mistreatment.
Following their departure from Frogmore Cottage and the controversies surrounding the publication of ‘Spare’ and Scobie’s ‘Endgame’, the Sussexes are expected to maintain their distance from the rest of the royal family, Fitzwilliams concludes.