Prince Harry is determined to keep a low profile during visits to the UK, according to an insider.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, has told the Court of Appeal that the level of police protection offered to him since quitting royal duties is “inadequate, inappropriate and ineffective”.
Harry returned to London earlier this month for a two-day hearing in a final attempt to win automatic state-backed security whenever he travels to the UK.
He claims that without proper protection, his life is at stake.
Prince Harry is determined to keep a low profile during visits to the UK, according to an insider
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A source close to the duke told the Mail: “He tends to come in and out of the country under guise.”
The Duke told the Telegraph as he left court that he felt his security had been withdrawn in an effort to prevent him and Meghan leaving the Royal Family to start a new life.
Part of the hearing was held in private due to “highly confidential” evidence.
Both sides agreed on a form of words summarising the evidence heard in closed session, which was released on Thursday evening.
Prince Harry returned to London earlier this month for a two-day hearing in a final attempt to win automatic state-backed security whenever he travels to the UK
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The Duke argued that the Home Office committee responsible for security assessments downgraded his protection after he stepped back from public duties in early 2020.
Court documents reveal he was subjected to a risk assessment in April 2019, resulting in the same level of protection “he had received his whole life”.
After stepping back, the Duke said the Royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec) failed to follow its own policy by not carrying out an individual risk assessment.
Instead, it followed a “bespoke” process not applied to anyone else.
This resulted in a requirement for 30 days’ notice of UK travel plans.
The protective security that until 2020 had been applied to him has changed, Harry argued.
Shaheed Fatima KC, his barrister, claimed both the case-by-case assessment and resulting security were inferior.
The duke has never revealed what level of security he has been offered on UK trips.
Prince Harry argued that the Home Office committee responsible for security assessments downgraded his protection after he stepped back from public duties in early 2020
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Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Home Office, said the Duke’s decision presented a “unique set of circumstances” not covered by usual security policy.
There was nothing in written policy accounting for someone stepping back from royal duties while living abroad, Eadie added.
Mr Justice Lane ruled in February 2024 that Ravec’s decision was neither irrational nor procedurally unfair.
The three-judge panel will deliver its ruling after Easter.
