The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had their security privileges withdrawn when they stepped down as working members of the royal family and relocated to the United States in 2020. Prince Harry took legal action over a decision made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures in February 2020, which informed him that he would no longer receive the same publicly funded security while in the country. However, retired High Court Judge Sir Peter Lane, in his ruling on Wednesday, rejected Prince Harry's case, concluding that the committee's approach was neither irrational nor procedurally unfair.
Wednesday's decision is anticipated to pose a challenge for Prince Harry, as he had previously expressed concerns about the safety of bringing his family back to the UK. A royal expert has identified three key areas that will be impacted by the ruling: Prince Harry's reconciliation efforts, Meghan Markle's relationship with the royal family and the likelihood of her return to the UK, and the relationship between Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet with the royal institution.
Tessa Dunlop, the royal expert, stated that Prince Harry's efforts to mend his rift with the royal family could be affected by the court ruling. She noted that with the Sussexes' security concerns being dismissed by the court, it becomes less likely that frequent reunions with Prince Harry and his young family will occur, especially if King Charles disapproves of Harry's continued legal actions. Dunlop added that Harry's loss in court serves as a reminder that the path he has chosen is not for the faint-hearted. Any hope of intermittent returns to the royal fold has been diminished by the high court ruling, which suggests that the Sussex family does not warrant full royal protection. If the UK government does not consider Prince Harry worthy of more than case-by-case royal protection, why should the absent prince invest more time in royal duties?
Regarding Meghan Markle's likelihood of returning to the UK, Dunlop candidly shared that it was Prince Harry who spearheaded the battle against the British government and his family's entitlement to full royal protection. Given the ruling, it is unlikely that Meghan will be seen in Britain anytime soon as a working member of the royal family. Back then, the Duchess did not feel secure in the UK, despite being the beneficiary of full royal protection.
Another unintended consequence of the court ruling is the impact on Prince Harry and Meghan's children. The expert explained that it's impossible not to feel sadness about the prospect of an aging king who is unable to see his grandchildren. Unfortunately, the chances of joyful family reunions seem even slimmer following the high court ruling. Despite improved relations between father and son, King Charles, a loving man, has barely had the opportunity to spend time with Archie and Lilibet.
The court ruling has cast a shadow on Prince Harry's hopes for reconciliation and has raised further questions about the future dynamics within the royal family. The implications of this ruling extend beyond the legal aspect and have far-reaching consequences for family relationships and the potential for healing old wounds.
