Prince Harry's Appeal Over Unjustly Revoked U.K. Security Tossed

Prince Harry has suffered a crushing defeat in court.

The Duke of Sussex's appeal to restore his U.K. security services after resigning as a working royal was thrown out of the court in a second attempt to correct the situation.

Prince Harry, his wife, Meghan Markle, and their son, Prince Archie, permanently left the United Kingdom in 2020 for the United States after citing instances of the palace failing to protect them from press attacks.

Prince Harry faced a setback in his efforts to reinstate his state-funded security in the United Kingdom. In February 2024, Harry faced a setback when he lost his initial case, challenging RAVEC's decision to downgrade his security.

However, he recently secured the right to appeal, and a source close to his legal team expressed a sense of cautious optimism regarding the potential outcome of this appeal.

Unfortunately, his appeal was dismissed by Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos on May 2, supported by two other judges. In delivering the verdict, Vos explained that the Duke of Sussex had effectively been moving in and out of the security framework provided by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC). 

According to Vos, while Prince Harry was outside the U.K., he was not entitled to security, but his protection would be evaluated based on the circumstances when in the country. The Duke had earlier traveled from California to London to attend a two-day hearing at the Royal Court of Justice on April 8 and 9.

He has been advocating for the restoration of automatic, state-funded security during his visits back to the U.K. After leaving the court last month, he expressed to PEOPLE that he felt "exhausted and overwhelmed" following the proceedings.

After his day in court, the Duke of Sussex expressed that his "worst fears" had been confirmed. He emphasized that this particular case is vital for his and Meghan's future, adding, "This one has always mattered the most."

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, the 40-year-old and Meghan have lost police protection in the U.K. Harry's lawyers argued in court that the couple felt compelled to resign from their official roles because they believed the royal institution was not protecting them. 

They had hoped to continue supporting the late Queen as privately funded members of the royal family.

After losing their security, Harry's legal team contended that the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) inadequately assessed his family's risks, leading to an ineffective arrangement for their protection.

Furthermore, Prince Harry has maintained that his father, King Charles, as the ceremonial head of state, could assist in restoring the security he seeks.

However, the palace has denied this possibility. Amidst these tensions, sources confirmed that there remains a significant distance between father and son, with no signs of reconciliation.

Currently residing in California, Harry continues to express concerns about returning to the U.K. without official police protection for himself, Meghan, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Amidst these tensions, The Blast shared that sources confirmed that there remains a significant distance between father and son, with no signs of reconciliation.

The Duke of Sussex recently spent two days in a London court, yet his efforts went unacknowledged by his royal relatives, further straining his relationship with his father. Sources from the palace indicate a significant lack of response from senior royals, highlighting the ongoing tension between them.

Despite Charles facing health challenges, the emotional gap between him and Harry remains wide, with little to no communication between them. 

The king also reportedly seems to be intentionally limiting interactions, as even casual discussions could complicate Harry's legal issues with the U.K. government.

During the hearing in April, the Duke of Sussex demonstrated keen engagement by taking notes and consulting with his legal team as he closely followed the proceedings.

In early 2020, Harry and Meghan envisioned a new life abroad that would allow them to maintain their royal duties while enjoying greater independence. 

Reflecting on their hopes, Harry mentioned their desire to create a "happy house" during reported discussions with Queen Elizabeth. After the Sandringham Summit in January 2020, he believed they had secured an understanding regarding continued security. 

However, court documents later revealed that Queen Elizabeth had supported their need for "effective security." Despite this, weeks later, RAVEC, the body responsible for security decisions, reversed its stance, resulting in Harry and Meghan losing their protection.

Although Prince Harry has been working to move on and forgive much of the turmoil since 2016 till now, the issue of personal and family safety remains a significant concern for him.

He recently hinted at a shocking truth during court proceedings in the U.K. regarding his security, suggesting that the downgrading of his protection was a tactic to keep him and Meghan entwined with the royal family.

This has raised alarms within the Royal Family; a source from Buckingham Palace expressed concern that Harry might disclose sensitive information in a potential book deal or follow Meghan's example by starting a podcast.

The insider noted that Prince Harry has alluded to having uncovered distressing secrets during the hearings about how he and Meghan have been treated. Thus, the family has interpreted his comments as a veiled threat to share everything if his demands are unmet.

What is Prince Harry's next step now that the judgment is in?