Prince Harry has said he feels exhausted by his long-running legal battle to reinstate his UK police protection.
Reports from the Daily Telegraph reveal that the Duke of Sussex believes his security was removed to force him back into Britain and royal life.
After launching legal action against the Home Office, Harry admitted he has been overwhelmed by the case, which has now continued for more than three years.
Following a two-day hearing at the Court of Appeal in London this week, Harry explained that the removal of his protection has been one of the most difficult issues to accept. Among all his legal battles, including his actions against the tabloid press, he considers this case the most important.
The prince no longer feels safe visiting the UK with his children. Much of the appeal hearing and the earlier sessions were held in private due to the highly confidential nature of the evidence involved.
Harry believes the details kept from public view would shock many people and described the legal disclosure process as confirming his worst fears.
Although he was not required to give evidence in court, Harry travelled from California to attend the hearing, which has been described as his last opportunity to overturn the previous ruling.
In February 2024, Mr Justice Lane ruled against Harry, concluding that the government’s decision to remove his protection was lawful.
Harry believes that the withdrawal of security for himself and Meghan Markle was intended to make their visits to the UK more difficult and potentially unsafe, thereby encouraging their return to royal life.
He also feels that King Charles could have intervened. The king’s private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, sits on the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, which plays a role in security matters.
However, Buckingham Palace has stated that it does not hold decision-making power over such issues. It is also understood that Sir Clive Alderton was not a member of the committee when the decision about Harry’s security was made five years ago, after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties.
Sources indicate that Harry remains estranged from both King Charles and Prince William. Harry visited his father in February following the king’s cancer diagnosis, but no further meetings have taken place since.
The outcome of Harry’s latest appeal will be announced by a panel of three judges after Easter.
