By Abiola Olawale
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is set to learn the outcome of his high-profile Court of Appeal challenge regarding his security arrangements within the United Kingdom.
This is as the Royal Court of Justice has scheduled a verdict declaration for Friday, May 2, 2025, at 2 PM.
The New Diplomat reports that Prince Harry’s legal battle stems from a 2020 decision by the UK Home Office and the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) to downgrade his security status after he and Meghan Markle stepped back from senior royal duties and relocated to California, United State.
The decision shifted Harry’s protection from automatic, taxpayer-funded security to a “bespoke” case-by-case arrangement, requiring 30 days’ notice for UK visits and individual threat assessments.
Following the decision, Prince Harry challenged the decision against the UK Home Office at the court.
In early 2024, the High Court ruled against Harry’s challenge to the 2020 government decision, saying that the government acted lawfully.
This prompted Prince Harry to launch an appeal, with his lawyers alleging that he was “singled out” for “unjustified and inferior treatment”.
Harry’s legal team, led by Shaheed Fatima KC, argued that the bespoke system is inadequate, especially given specific threats, including one from al-Qaeda calling for his assassination.
The prince’s lawyers have framed the appeal as a “fight for his life,” underscoring the safety concerns for Harry, Meghan, and their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
