Prince Harry's Calls To The King Have Gone 'Unanswered' Amid Fears About His Downgraded Security
By Favour Adegoke on July 31, 2024 at 9:30 PM EDT
Prince Harry has reportedly been unable to talk with his father, King Charles III, in recent weeks despite multiple calls to the monarch.
According to a new report, the Duke of Sussex's calls, including those inquiring about the king's health, have been left "unanswered."
The revelation comes after Prince Harry won the right to appeal a high court's ruling that reinforced the downgrading of his tax-funded security detail.
Prince Harry Has Been Unable To Reach His Father, King Charles
According to People Magazine, Harry has been unable to reach his father since returning from his February UK visit to see him following the monarch's health diagnosis.
"He gets 'unavailable right now,'" a friend of the duke told the outlet. "His calls go unanswered. He has tried to reach out about the king's health, but those calls go unanswered too."
In May, Harry could not meet with his father during his visit to the UK for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games, an international competition he founded for veterans and wounded soldiers.
At the time, it was reported that the king was preoccupied with other matters, which was why a meeting could not be held. However, sources suggest there might have been more to the situation.
Harry had intended to discuss security arrangements for himself and his family, which were downgraded after he stepped down from his senior royal role. The king may have wanted to avoid the conversation, though the Palace has not yet commented on the security issue.
Prince Harry Believes The Monarch Can Intervene On His Security Issues
Although much time has elapsed since his last trip to the UK, the insider claims that Harry has repeatedly tried to ask his father to intervene.
A royal insider told People that the father-of-two "is frightened and feels the only person who can do anything about it is his father."
Additionally, it was mentioned that the duke is "determined to protect his own family at all costs."
This seems to be the reason why he has not brought them back to the UK, as he fears that the lack of security would make them vulnerable to a violent attack, potentially incited by the negative press they have received.
In a new ITV documentary, the prince expressed these concerns, stating that "all it takes is one lone actor" for harm to be done to his family.
Prince Harry Previously Lost His Court Challenge Against His Downgraded Security
In the meantime, Harry and his family remain without the same protection other senior royals receive whenever he comes to the UK.
A high court had ruled against the duke's challenge of the 2020 decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which recommended that Harry and his family receive a reduced level of taxpayer-funded security provisions.
Harry's lawyers argued during the proceedings that the decision to downgrade his security was "unlawful and unfair," per Time Magazine. They also mentioned that if there is ever a "successful attack" on the prince and his family, it would smear the image of the British government.
However, the presiding judge, Peter Lane, dismissed the claim, saying Harry's lawyers had "an inappropriate, formalist interpretation of the Ravec process."
He also stated that the earlier decision by the Ravec committee members was "legally sound."
Prince Harry Hopes The Court Of Appeal Will Change The Decision
After losing the challenge, Harry's lawyers vowed to appeal the ruling, saying they wanted a "fair and lawful application of Ravec's own rules" and that the duke was not asking for "preferential treatment."
Last month, they moved a step further in making that happen after winning the right to appeal the earlier decision from the High Court.
According to the ruling from Judge David Bean, it was possible that Ravec did not follow its own stated policy, as Harry claimed in his challenge. However, he arrived at this conclusion "not without hesitation."
It is unclear when the appeal hearing will begin or how soon a conclusion will be reached. In addition to Harry's legal battle with the British government, Prince Harry is also involved in other lawsuits against UK tabloids for using unlawful means to gather information about him and his family.
Meghan Markle Wishes Her Husband 'Could Let Go' Of The Lawsuits
Meghan reportedly longs for her husband to be free from the courtroom drama that has trailed him.
An ex-employee of the couple's Archewell Foundation told Peoplethat the former "Suits" actress "supports Harry 100 percent, but she wishes he could let go of these lawsuits, be happy and live in the moment."
"She wants him to be free of all of this, but she also knows that because of everything he's been through and his love for [her and their children], he can't. She wants him to live in a world where he is not burdened by this," the source added.