Royal Family LIVE: Prince Harry heads to High Court as latest legal battle begins

Prince Harry’s latest legal battle begins at the High Court today as he is challenging the Home Office’s decision to not grant him and his family the “same degree” of protection when in the UK

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ByRebecca RussellRoyal Reporter

  • Updated08:21, 5 DEC 2023
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    • The Duke of Sussex’s latest legal battle begins today (Image: 2023 Karwai Tang)

    The Duke of Sussex's three-day High Court case against the Home Office over UK security arrangements for his family begins today (Tuesday, 5 December).

    Prince Harry is challenging the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), governed by the Home Office, when it ruled that Prince Harry and his family would not be entitled to the “same degree” of protection when visiting the UK.

    Harry was cleared to bring the challenge in July 2022 and the claim will be heard over two-and-a-half days starting from Tuesday.

    In making the bid for the challenge, lawyers for Harry said the security arrangements set out in a letter from Ravec, and their application when he visited the UK in June 2021, were invalid due to "procedural unfairness" because he was not given an opportunity to make "informed representations beforehand".

    Shaheed Fatima KC, for the duke, told the High Court in London last year: "He didn't know at that stage that the Royal Household was involved at all… he was told it was an independent decision."

    Lawyers for the Home Office said Ravec was entitled to reach the decision it did, which is that Harry's security arrangements will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and said permission for a full challenge should be refused.

    A decision is expected at a later date. The hearing is one of the five High Court claims the duke is involved in, including extensive litigation against newspaper publishers.

    Earlier this year, he was refused permission to bring a further legal challenge against the Home Office over a Ravec decision that he should not be allowed to pay privately for protective security.

    What do we know about Prince Harry’s legal battle?

    As the three-day hearding is schedule to start today. Here's what we know so far…

    • Prince Harry's latest legal battle against a decision made by the Home Office is being challenged today.
    • A decision is expected at a later date.
    • The Duke is challenging the decision that he and his family would not be entitled to the “same degree” of protection when visiting the UK.
    • The hearing is one of the five High Court claims the Duke is involved in, including extensive litigation against newspaper publishers.
    • Earlier this year, Harry was refused permission to bring a further legal challenge against the Home Office over a Ravec decision that he should not be allowed to pay privately for protective security.
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