Archive June 4, 2025

Prince Harry’s legal battle against the Home Office over his police protection while in the UK ended in defeat at the Court of Appeal last month – and figures have revealed how much the case cost the UK taxpayer

The cost to the taxpayer of Prince Harry’s legal case over his police protection in the UK has been revealed in new figures. Last month, the Duke of Sussex lost his appeal against the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK.

The legal challenge came after Harry and Meghan left the UK and first moved to Canada, and then California, after announcing they wanted to step back as senior royals. After the Court of Appeal judgement, Harry later gave a bombshell interview to the BBC and claimed “I wish someone had told me beforehand there was no way to win”.

And now it has been reported that the case has cost the UK taxpayer £100,000 after Harry took the battle to court. According to the Daily Mail, the Home Office had already spent £554,000 in legal costs for the case and now the appeal has cost it further £102,000.

However, it is likely that as the losing party in the case, Harry will have to reimburse most of the costs, which means the case overall will cost him as much as £1.5million.

At a two-day hearing in April, barristers for the duke told the Court of Appeal that he was “singled out” for “inferior treatment” and that his safety, security and life were “at stake”.

However, in a ruling handed down, Sir Geoffrey Vos, Lord Justice Bean and Lord Justice Edis dismissed Harry’s appeal. Sir Geoffrey said that arguments put forward by Harry’s barrister, Shaheed Fatima KC, were “powerful and moving” and that it was “plain that the Duke of Sussex felt badly treated by the system”.

In an interview afterwards, he claimed the King would not speak to him because of his legal fight over his UK security, but that he does want a ‘reconciliation’ with his family.

When asked if Charles had been approached to use his influence in Harry’s legal problems, the duke appeared to imply the King was a hindrance, a comment likely to deepen the rift between his father and his brother, the Prince of Wales. He said: “I’ve never asked him to intervene, I’ve asked him to step out of the way and let the experts do their job.”

The health of the King, who is being treated for cancer, was highlighted by his son, who said: “And I said, life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has, he, he won’t speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile.”

He added: “I thought, with all the disagreements and all of the chaos that’s happening, the one thing that I could rely on is my family keeping me safe. And not only did they decide to remove my security in the UK, but they also signalled to every single government around the world not to protect us.”

He also told the BBC: “Everybody knew that they were putting us at risk in 2020 and they hoped that me knowing that risk would force us to come back.”

The duke said the protection given to members of the monarchy was a form of ‘control’, saying: “I think what really worries me more than anything else about today’s decision, depending on what happens next, it set a new precedent that security can be used to control members of the family. And effectively what it does is imprison other members of the family from being able to choose a different life.”

Prince Harry’s legal battle against the Home Office over his police protection while in the UK ended in defeat at the Court of Appeal last month – and figures have revealed how much the case cost the UK taxpayer

The cost to the taxpayer of Prince Harry’s legal case over his police protection in the UK has been revealed in new figures. Last month, the Duke of Sussex lost his appeal against the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK.

The legal challenge came after Harry and Meghan left the UK and first moved to Canada, and then California, after announcing they wanted to step back as senior royals. After the Court of Appeal judgement, Harry later gave a bombshell interview to the BBC and claimed “I wish someone had told me beforehand there was no way to win”.

And now it has been reported that the case has cost the UK taxpayer £100,000 after Harry took the battle to court. According to the Daily Mail, the Home Office had already spent £554,000 in legal costs for the case and now the appeal has cost it further £102,000.

However, it is likely that as the losing party in the case, Harry will have to reimburse most of the costs, which means the case overall will cost him as much as £1.5million.

At a two-day hearing in April, barristers for the duke told the Court of Appeal that he was “singled out” for “inferior treatment” and that his safety, security and life were “at stake”.

However, in a ruling handed down, Sir Geoffrey Vos, Lord Justice Bean and Lord Justice Edis dismissed Harry’s appeal. Sir Geoffrey said that arguments put forward by Harry’s barrister, Shaheed Fatima KC, were “powerful and moving” and that it was “plain that the Duke of Sussex felt badly treated by the system”.

In an interview afterwards, he claimed the King would not speak to him because of his legal fight over his UK security, but that he does want a ‘reconciliation’ with his family.

When asked if Charles had been approached to use his influence in Harry’s legal problems, the duke appeared to imply the King was a hindrance, a comment likely to deepen the rift between his father and his brother, the Prince of Wales. He said: “I’ve never asked him to intervene, I’ve asked him to step out of the way and let the experts do their job.”

The health of the King, who is being treated for cancer, was highlighted by his son, who said: “And I said, life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has, he, he won’t speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile.”

He added: “I thought, with all the disagreements and all of the chaos that’s happening, the one thing that I could rely on is my family keeping me safe. And not only did they decide to remove my security in the UK, but they also signalled to every single government around the world not to protect us.”

He also told the BBC: “Everybody knew that they were putting us at risk in 2020 and they hoped that me knowing that risk would force us to come back.”

The duke said the protection given to members of the monarchy was a form of ‘control’, saying: “I think what really worries me more than anything else about today’s decision, depending on what happens next, it set a new precedent that security can be used to control members of the family. And effectively what it does is imprison other members of the family from being able to choose a different life.”

Comedian Katherine Ryan has announced she’s expecting another child, but says while she’s always wanted more kids, it feels ‘irresponsible’ to her others

Katherine Ryan admits her fourth pregnancy may be “irresponsible”. The comedian, 41, announced that she and her partner Bobby Koostra are expanding their family – they are parents to a son, born in 2021, a daughter, born in 2022, and Katherine has a daughter, Violet, from a previous relationship.

But while she has always wanted more children, she admits that expecting her fourth may be a touch irresponsible. “Here’s what I think: I do love making people. I love them, making them with you, it’s always what I wanted since prom. I think at this point, we need to see where it goes, but I think it might be almost irresponsible to the children that we have, and to ourselves,” she said to Bobby.

Speaking on the most recent episode of their podcast, Katherine revealed she hoped she was having a boy. But if she has a boy, the child is all Bobby’s she joked.

“The boys are yours and the girls, I feel like, are mine,” she said. Bobby added: “I think the best thing for the family would be a girl.” Katherine revealed the news of her pregnancy to Bobby on their podcast, leaving him shocked. “I wouldn’t have known from the last scans that we’ve had, but congratulations,” he said.

Katherine joked that the pregnancy “explained the 20lb weight gain”, with Bobby admitting she had kept her pregnancy relatively secret. Her daughter, Violet, however, hinted at the news on social media last week when she shared a clip of her mum’s blossoming baby bump.

But Katherine revealed that her partner’s sleep had been more disturbed than hers had been, with Bobby admitting he was in a “rough patch,” before explaining that the next few months will fall on Katherine. Speaking about her pregnancy, Katherine opened up about suffering a miscarriage months before falling pregnant.

The star said: “Regarding the pregnancy. We obviously lost one, which I spoke about in September, and we got pregnant again and… It’s not, like, I am happy I love having these kids, but I think I personally needed to get to a place where I was a bit like, ‘Uh-oh’.” Bobby added: “Well you do not like being told what to do so when you’re getting to an age where women are getting whatever way that goes…”

Katherine let out an audible gasp, before Bobby went on to add: “Harder to have a baby and you’re like, ‘I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll have one’ and so like after the miscarriage you were more keen than ever to get it done because of the biological age and the feeling that someone telling you you can’t do something and you’re like, ‘I will do this’ and I respect that about you. And so that’s where we are, and I think we can say this might be the last one.”

But their parenting skills can be quite different. Violet has introduced their son Fred to an iPad, which Bobby is against. Speaking about the bombshell, Katherine explained: “It’s had the affect that you would think it would have, Fred is completely transfixed by this techonology and there’s a Spider Man game and he’s like (gasps), like I hear Bobby and Fred, we all sleep in the same room now – why in a five bedroom house?

“We’re up in the attic, we’re hiding from rogue government, and Fred’s like, ‘Dad, I need to play Spider-Man, Dad, where’s my iPad?’ He’s having dreams about it!” Bobby joked that Fred will often wake up and say “Spider-Man game!” before falling back asleep.

Earlier this year, Katherine opened up on her wishes for a fourth child as she admitted she didn’t think time was on her side. The former Celebrity Gogglebox star visited a fertility clinic with husband Bobby and discussed the chances of them being able to conceive.

In the second season of her hit U&W show, At Home With Katherine Ryan, she said: “It’s not that surprising that over-40 women have fewer follicles than we once did. But we talk a lot about male fertility as well, which is on a steep decline. But I would still like a fourth baby. We are so blessed to have the kids that we do have. Having children is not for everyone, but I personally really like making people. I think it’s a superpower, if you can do it.”

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at the Miscarriage Association. You can call them on 01924 200799 or email info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk

Comedian Katherine Ryan has announced she’s expecting another child, but says while she’s always wanted more kids, it feels ‘irresponsible’ to her others

Katherine Ryan admits her fourth pregnancy may be “irresponsible”. The comedian, 41, announced that she and her partner Bobby Koostra are expanding their family – they are parents to a son, born in 2021, a daughter, born in 2022, and Katherine has a daughter, Violet, from a previous relationship.

But while she has always wanted more children, she admits that expecting her fourth may be a touch irresponsible. “Here’s what I think: I do love making people. I love them, making them with you, it’s always what I wanted since prom. I think at this point, we need to see where it goes, but I think it might be almost irresponsible to the children that we have, and to ourselves,” she said to Bobby.

Speaking on the most recent episode of their podcast, Katherine revealed she hoped she was having a boy. But if she has a boy, the child is all Bobby’s she joked.

“The boys are yours and the girls, I feel like, are mine,” she said. Bobby added: “I think the best thing for the family would be a girl.” Katherine revealed the news of her pregnancy to Bobby on their podcast, leaving him shocked. “I wouldn’t have known from the last scans that we’ve had, but congratulations,” he said.

Katherine joked that the pregnancy “explained the 20lb weight gain”, with Bobby admitting she had kept her pregnancy relatively secret. Her daughter, Violet, however, hinted at the news on social media last week when she shared a clip of her mum’s blossoming baby bump.

But Katherine revealed that her partner’s sleep had been more disturbed than hers had been, with Bobby admitting he was in a “rough patch,” before explaining that the next few months will fall on Katherine. Speaking about her pregnancy, Katherine opened up about suffering a miscarriage months before falling pregnant.

The star said: “Regarding the pregnancy. We obviously lost one, which I spoke about in September, and we got pregnant again and… It’s not, like, I am happy I love having these kids, but I think I personally needed to get to a place where I was a bit like, ‘Uh-oh’.” Bobby added: “Well you do not like being told what to do so when you’re getting to an age where women are getting whatever way that goes…”

Katherine let out an audible gasp, before Bobby went on to add: “Harder to have a baby and you’re like, ‘I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll have one’ and so like after the miscarriage you were more keen than ever to get it done because of the biological age and the feeling that someone telling you you can’t do something and you’re like, ‘I will do this’ and I respect that about you. And so that’s where we are, and I think we can say this might be the last one.”

But their parenting skills can be quite different. Violet has introduced their son Fred to an iPad, which Bobby is against. Speaking about the bombshell, Katherine explained: “It’s had the affect that you would think it would have, Fred is completely transfixed by this techonology and there’s a Spider Man game and he’s like (gasps), like I hear Bobby and Fred, we all sleep in the same room now – why in a five bedroom house?

“We’re up in the attic, we’re hiding from rogue government, and Fred’s like, ‘Dad, I need to play Spider-Man, Dad, where’s my iPad?’ He’s having dreams about it!” Bobby joked that Fred will often wake up and say “Spider-Man game!” before falling back asleep.

Earlier this year, Katherine opened up on her wishes for a fourth child as she admitted she didn’t think time was on her side. The former Celebrity Gogglebox star visited a fertility clinic with husband Bobby and discussed the chances of them being able to conceive.

In the second season of her hit U&W show, At Home With Katherine Ryan, she said: “It’s not that surprising that over-40 women have fewer follicles than we once did. But we talk a lot about male fertility as well, which is on a steep decline. But I would still like a fourth baby. We are so blessed to have the kids that we do have. Having children is not for everyone, but I personally really like making people. I think it’s a superpower, if you can do it.”

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at the Miscarriage Association. You can call them on 01924 200799 or email info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk