Prince Harry's bid for police protection has reportedly cost taxpayers over £500,000, leaving him with a legal bill of £1 million after his unsuccessful attempt to challenge a Home Office decision regarding his security in the UK. The Duke of Sussex's legal appeal, which aimed to overturn the decision denying him automatic police protection, incurred significant expenses, as revealed in a Freedom of Information request made by The Telegraph.
The expenses related to Prince Harry's lawsuit included more than £180,000 for solicitor fees, £230,000 for the government's legal department, £2,300 in court fees, and nearly £10,000 in electronic fees. The legal action stemmed from a ruling in February 2020 by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (ERIK), which determined that Prince Harry should receive a different level of taxpayer-funded protection since he was no longer a full-time working member of the royal family.
In February, retired High Court Judge Sir Peter Lane dismissed Prince Harry's case in a 52-page ruling, stating that ERIK's decision was neither irrational nor procedurally unfair. When Prince Harry initially learned of the decision to withdraw taxpayer-funded police protection in 2020, he expressed anger and demanded the names of those responsible, according to The Telegraph.
It is understood that Prince Harry intends to appeal last month's High Court decision, although no specific timeline has been reported. Currently residing in the United States with his wife Meghan and their two children, Prince Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in January 2020. Prince Harry briefly returned to the UK in February 2022 without his family to be with his father following the news of a cancer diagnosis. He made a video appearance later that month, calling for nominations for the WellChild Awards.
There are indications that the Sussexes may be planning a return to the UK in May as a married couple. This visit comes after the revelation that Kate, the Princess of Wales, has also been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing preventive chemotherapy. Kate, 42, shared her emotional and courageous message in a video. The news has garnered support from around the world, including from The Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, political figures, and members of the public.
