Prince Harry awaits ruling on UK security appeal

Prince Harry is expected to learn on Friday the outcome of his appeal against the UK government’s decision to downgrade his police protection during visits to Britain, court listings have confirmed.

Judges at the Court of Appeal are scheduled to deliver their decision on Friday afternoon, following a closely watched two-day hearing in April, which saw the Duke of Sussex, 40, make a rare appearance in London. Harry, the youngest son of King Charles III, stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to the west coast of the United States with his wife, Meghan, citing intense media scrutiny as one of the main reasons. Following his departure, the UK government ruled that he would no longer be entitled to the same level of publicly funded police protection while in the country, instead applying a case-by-case approach to his security arrangements. After losing a legal challenge in early 2024, Harry appealed the ruling. His legal team argued that he was “singled out” for “unjustified and inferior treatment” by the Home Office. In written submissions, his lawyers referenced threats from Al-Qaeda and a “dangerous car pursuit” involving the Duke and Duchess in New York, insisting his status still required full security support. The outcome of this appeal could influence how frequently Harry is able to return to the UK, with the prince stating that safety concerns have limited his visits since stepping down as a working royal. He has made only brief trips to Britain since moving to California, often citing the lack of adequate protection as a significant barrier. The government has argued that Harry’s change in status, including his residence abroad and non-working royal role, justified the revised security provision. Lawyers also defended the process used by the committee that oversees protection for public figures, insisting its assessment was fair and lawful. The ruling on Friday may have long-term implications for the Duke’s relationship with the UK and his ability to engage in public or family events on British soil.