Prince Harry’s security court fight costs taxypayers over £100K: Here's how

Prince Harry’s UK security court battle has reportedly cost British taxpayers more than £100,000, according to newly released figures. 

The Duke of Sussex had been fighting to reinstate police protection during his visits to the UK, a case he ultimately lost twice.

The Home Office revealed the total legal bill hit £656,324, with £554,000 tied to the original case, and another £102,000 for the appeal Harry pursued this year. 

As the losing party, Harry is now expected to repay most, if not all, of the public’s legal costs, with a judge previously ordering him to cover 90 percent of them.

During a BBC interview in May, Harry admitted he was “pretty gutted” by the outcome, calling it “quite sad” that he may not be able to show his children, Archie and Lilibet, his homeland safely. 

He added, “There is no way to win this through the courts, wish someone had told me that beforehand.”

Harry’s legal team argued that stripping his right to automatic protection placed his life at risk, but the High Court ruled against him, stating he had "comprehensively lost" the case.

What is Prince Harry's security case about?

In early 2020, shortly after Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior royals, the UK’s Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) downgraded his publicly funded police protection.

Harry filed a legal challenge against the Home Office, arguing that the decision puts his family at risk.

Last year, a High Court judge ruled that the decision was lawful, leading Harry to appeal. 

The Home Office continues to oppose his claim, stating that decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and fall under the authority of the Home Secretary.

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