The Duke of Sussex has lost his legal challenge against the Home Office over his UK security arrangements.
Prince Harry challenged the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office after the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) decided he should receive a reduced degree of security when in the country.
After a two-day hearing in April, the Court of Appeal dismissed the duke’s appeal in a judgement handed down on Friday afternoon.
Delivering the court’s ruling, Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos said although the duke’s arguments were “powerful and moving”, he “could not say that the Duke’s sense of grievance translated into a legal argument for the challenge to Ravec’s decision”.
“The conclusion, in my judgement, with which my colleagues Lord Justice Bean and Lord Justice Edith agreed, was that the Duke of Sussex’s appeal would be dismissed,” he added.
The decision marks the end to the duke’s latest legal battle, which was brought to the Court of Appeal after his initial claim against the Home Office was dismissed by retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane last year.
In April, barristers for the duke told the Royal Courts of Justice that Ravec’s decision meant he was “singled out” for “inferior treatment” and that his safety, security and life are “at stake”.
Harry attended both days of the hearing in London, and could be seen taking notes and talking with his legal team during the appeal.
Ravec has delegated responsibility from the Home Office over the provision of protective security arrangements for members of the royal family and others, with involvement from the Metropolitan Police, the Cabinet Office and the royal household.
The Home Office, which is legally responsible for Ravec’s decisions, opposed the appeal, with its lawyers telling the court that Ravec’s decision was taken in a “unique set of circumstances” and that there was “no proper basis” for challenging it.
Reading a summary of the court’s decision on Friday, Sir Geoffrey said:”The duke was in effect stepping in and out of the cohort of protection provided by Ravec.
“Outside the UK, he was outside the cohort, but when in the UK, his security would be considered as appropriate.”
He continued: “It was impossible to say that this reasoning was illogical or inappropriate, indeed it seemed sensible.”
Sir Geoffrey also said Ravec’s decision was “understandable and perhaps predictable”.
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