Prince Harry reportedly made a shocking demand to a High Court judge in Britain after his appeal for Home Office security was allowed to go through.
Background
In February 2020, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) decided to withdraw Prince Harry’s right to automatic security. The move sparked controversy and legal battles that have dragged on for two-and-a-half years. Seeking a judicial review, Prince Harry comprehensively lost the case in September 2021. While most of his grounds of appeal were rejected, Lord Justice Bean acknowledged that one ground had a real prospect of success.
The Request
The appeal, which tries to examine the fairness and legal application of Ravec’s own guidelines governing security judgments, will now be pursued by Prince Harry’s legal team. Prince Harry is still dedicated to upholding Ravec’s policy and giving others the same consideration, even in the face of continuous legal action.
Request to accelerate appeal and the reasons behind the scenes
Harry allegedly filed an appeal because he is “going away with Meghan for a tour, a world tour, which made my heart pump because this is going to be another copy of what the Royal Family is like and he wants to be covered,” according to royal author and pundit Angela Levin.
Prince Harry requested that the appeal be considered by the end of July, partly because he was concerned that the outcome would affect how other nations would handle his security.
With the Sussexes understood to be planning multiple overseas tours in the coming months, the Duke argued that the litigation had already dragged on for two-and-a-half years and said his legal team would be busy with other matters from October.
However, while Lord Justice Bean allowed the appeal, he refused the application to expedite proceedings.
The judge noted: “It is rightly not suggested that the claimant is entitled to jump the queue because of his status.”
Implications
The Court of Appeal’s decision will have significant implications for both Prince Harry and the broader royal family. As the legal battle continues, questions arise about the balance between security protocols and individual rights. The outcome of this appeal could set a precedent for future cases involving high-profile figures.
Prince Harry’s security appeal remains a contentious issue, highlighting the delicate balance between public safety and personal entitlement. As the legal process unfolds, all eyes are on the Court of Appeal to determine whether the prince can indeed “jump the queue” or if he must wait his turn like any other citizen.