Prince Harry's return to the UK blocked by court decision
- I don't know how much longer my father has - stated Prince Harry after losing the court case. He declared that his safe return to the United Kingdom with his family is "impossible." The Court of Appeal upheld the decision to deny protection for the prince.
What do you need to know?
- The Court of Appeal in London upheld the earlier ruling that the British government had the right to deny Prince Harry protection after his resignation from official royal family duties.
- Currently residing in California, Prince Harry expressed his disappointment with the court's decision, emphasising that his status as a member of the royal family has not changed.
- The prince's lawyers argued that his life could be in danger, citing threats from the Al-Qaeda group.
Prince Harry lost the court case on Friday regarding the restoration of British police protection funded by the state. In 2024, the High Court in London ruled that the decision to deny protection to the prince when he resigned from his official duties in the royal family was lawful, and yesterday the Court of Appeal in London upheld this ruling.
Prince Harry, speaking to the BBC following Friday’s verdict, admitted they had believed they would win the case. However, he expressed his disappointment, acknowledging that the outcome showed how difficult it is to achieve a victory in court.
Harry distraught. Afraid to return home
Following the verdict, the younger son of King Charles III, who currently resides in California with his wife Meghan and two children, stated that a safe return to the United Kingdom with his family is "impossible." In an interview with the media, he emphasised that his "status has not changed" and that he is part of the royal family, which comes with certain risks.
- I am who I am, I am part of what I am part of, I can't escape that - Prince Harry argued.
The prince's lawyers argued that his life could be endangered, citing calls from the terrorist group Al-Qaeda to have him killed. Harry confessed that the evidence he had access to raised his "worst fears."
Strong declaration from Prince Harry after the loss
In an interview with the BBC, Prince Harry also expressed a desire for reconciliation with his family, emphasising that "life is precious" and he would like to mend relations with his father. He assured that he never asked his father to intervene in the matter of his protection being taken away.
- I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious - said the Duke of Sussex.
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace noted that issues related to the prince's police protection had been repeatedly examined by the courts, which each time came to the same conclusion. Buckingham Palace did not comment on the prince's remarks regarding his father or reconciliation.
