Prince Harry’s failed legal challenge against a Home Office decision which denied him the right to automatic police protection has reportedly left the taxpayer with a bill of more than £500,000.
According to a Freedom of Information request by the Telegraph, the Duke of Sussex’s derailed court action included some dizzying figures including more than £180K for counsel, £230K for the Government Legal Department, £2,300 in court fees and nearly £10K in e-disclosure.
Harry took legal action against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.
Ravec’s decision came as a result of a change in the duke’s “status” after he stopped being a “full-time working member of the Royal Family”, a judge was told.
In a judgment In February, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected the duke’s case in a 52-page ruling and concluded Ravec’s approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair.
The Telegraph reports that when Prince Harry was first told of the decision to withrdaw his taxpayer-funded police protection in 2020 he was “furious” and “demanded to be given the names of those responsible”.
It’s understood the Duke of Sussex will seek to appeal the High Court decision handed down last month, although no timeline yet has been reported.
Prince Harry lives in the United States with wife Meghan and their two children after the couple announced they were stepping back as senior royals in January 2020.
He returned briefly to the UK on February 6 without his family after making a transatlantic dash to be with his father following the shocking news of the King’s cancer diagnosis. Later that month he appeared for a brief on-camera recorded message in which he called for WellChild Awards nominations.
It’s reported the Sussexes may be planning to return to the UK in May as a couple, with a visit happening after it was revealed Kate, the Princess of Wales, has also been diagnosed with cancer.
Kate, 42, revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in an emotional and brave video message on Friday, March 22.
There has been a global outpouring of support, including from the King, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, political figures and members of the public.
