After losing his Court of Appeal challenge over his security arrangements, Prince Prince Harry has stated that he “can’t see a world” where he brings Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK.
Prince Harry has claimed that it is now “impossible” for him to bring wife Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK safely after he lost his Court of Appeal challenge over his security arrangements.
His statement comes five years after he stepped back as a working member of the royal family in January 2020. In a statement released at the time, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they would “work to become financially independent” but would continue “to honour our duty to the Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages”.
Following their departure, Prince Harry and Meghan moved to California and no longer had an official residence in the UK. After stepping back from their official royal duties, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s security when in the UK was downgraded and they were no longer granted the arrangements that had been afforded to them as senior royals.
READ MORE: Prince Harry’s astonishing ‘dark’ claim connected to Princess Diana’s tragic death
Prince Harry didn’t frequently travel to the UK, according to the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), a committee that authorizes security for senior royals for the Home Office. In response, they came to the conclusion that his security requirements should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, just like other prominent visitors’ requirements are.
This meant that while the Duke of Sussex would get police protection in the UK, it wouldn’t be automatic and he’d be required to give plenty of notice ahead of time.
However, Prince Harry challenged the way Ravec took the decision regarding his security arrangements. In December 2023, he told the High Court how the UK was his “home”. He added: “The UK is central to the heritage of my children. That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe.”
Lawyers for the Home Office argued that Prince Harry would still have publicly funded police security when in the UK on a “bespoke” basis. In February 2024, the High Court ruled that this was “legally sound”.
Prince Harry then challenged the dismissal of his High Court claim and at a two-day hearing in April barristers for the Duke told the Court of Appeal that he’d been “singled out” for “inferior treatment” and that his safety, security and life was “at stake”. The Home Office opposed the appeal, with its lawyers telling the court that Ravec’s decision was taken in a “unique set of circumstances” and that there was “no proper basis” for challenging it.
The Duke of Sussex’s Court of Appeal challenge involving his security arrangements while he was in the UK ended today (May 2) in court. The Duke of Sussex felt disrespected by the system, according to Sir Geoffrey Vos, who praised the arguments made by Harry’s barrister, Shaheed Fatima KC, as being “powerful and moving”.
However, he continued, “I could not conclude, having examined the specifics of the extensive documentation, that the duke’s concern for the decision challenge led to a legal justification.” The duke was actually entering and leaving the Ravec protection group, he continued. Although he was outside the cohort when he was in the UK, his security would be viewed as appropriate. ”
He continued, “It was impossible to say that this reasoning was illogical or inappropriate; rather, it appeared reasonable.” Ravec’s decision was “understandable and perhaps predictable,” according to Sir Geoffrey.
In an interview with the BBC following the dismissal of his High Court claim, Prince Harry said the Court of Appeal decision meant it would now be ‘impossible’ for him to bring Meghan and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the UK safely.
“I can’t see a world in which I will be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point and the things they are going to miss is everything. I love my country and always have done…despite what some people in that country have done,” he said.
I miss the UK, he continued. I long for some of the UK. I do, of course. I feel really let down by the absence of my children from my homeland. “
We are pleased that the court has decided in favor of the government’s position in this case, according to a Home Office spokesman. The UK Government’s security measures are fair and effective.
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply