One expert thinks there is another big factor to why Prince Harry is at the center of a legal dispute over the safety of bringing his children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the UK.
Prince Harry is still waiting in limbo for the outcome of a legal battle he has described as his most important. The Duke of Sussex was at the Court of Appeal earlier this month for the latest stage of a legal battle with the Home Office over the level of taxpayer-funded personal security he should receive when visiting the UK.
In February 2020, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) decided he should receive a different degree of taxypayer-funded protection when in the country after quitting as a working royal. He is appealing against a High Court ruling dismissing his case against the Home Office over the decision last year.
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At the heart of the case, Harry says he cannot bring his wife Meghan or children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the UK as it is not safe for them. He has previously argued that he wants his children to know their British heritage but coming to the UK without police protection is too dangerous.
However, according to royal expert Jennie Bond, the battle is also about proving a point, rather than Harry wanting to bring his children to the UK.
The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror: “I think Harry is sincere when he says he wants his children to know and understand their heritage. And he has said publicly that he wants his father and his brother back in his life.
“But we now also know that this issue of security is like a red rag to a bull for Harry. He says it is more important than any of his other legal battles. He has a deep-rooted sense of injustice – he believes there was some kind of conspiracy to keep him ‘trapped’ within the Royal Family and to prevent him and his family from leaving the UK. And he seems intent on proving that to be the case.
“I don’t believe that his wife and children are really the object of our discussion,” he said. More to his ire is due to his disdain for the way he perceives himself.
The duke requested protection after being threatened by terrorists, according to a summary of some of the evidence that was presented in private during Harry’s appeal case last week. The Appellant confirmed that al-Qaida had threatened to harm him, the document read. With “additional layers of racism and extremism,” Harry has previously claimed that his late mother and him are more vulnerable than her.
He claims that al-Qaida has called for his assassination and that his family is “a threat to the international community.” Ravec’s decision, shared on February 28, 2020, stated that Metropolitan Police protection would no longer be appropriate following the Sussexes’ departure from the UK and that they should be given a different level of protection while they are present.
Instead, The Sussexes would be required to give a “bespoke” security service, with each visit being evaluated for threat levels and need for protection. This would be done by giving them 30 days’ notice of any plans to visit the UK.
The issue of security has also reportedly proved to be a thorn in the side of the relationship between Harry and his father King Charles. People magazine reported that the divide between the pair has widened, with their last face-to-face meeting taking place in February 2024 after Charles announced his cancer diagnosis.
According to sources close to Harry, the King is reportedly keeping his distance to avoid getting involved in security discussions, despite the King’s calls and letters remaining unanswered. After some private witness testimony, the duke claimed that “people would be shocked by what is being held back” and that the appeal outcome would be discussed with The Telegraph.
Jennie continued, “Harry must now realize that he has placed his father in a very difficult position: suing the King’s own government.” And that makes it very difficult for Charles to have any conversations with Harry, even in the most difficult situations.
I wonder if Harry was aware of how difficult communication with his father at the beginning of this case. After the appeal judges’ decision is rendered, it will likely be time for everyone concerned to reevaluate the situation and assess the potential for improvement of family relations.
“But don’t hold your breath; Harry hasn’t made things any easier by urging the court to take this case to the highest level.”
Source: Mirror
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