- Prince Harry is currently in trial in a London court
- He is there suing several media outlets for damages
- Harry is not happy with THIS detail
In a royal rumble that's shaking the very foundations of the British establishment, Prince Harry has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging the UK government's decision to strip him of police protection on British soil. His lawyer, the formidable Shaheed Fatima, blasted the move as "unlawful, unfair, and unjustifiable" in a dramatic High Court showdown on Tuesday.
Harry is taking the gloves off now
Once a fully-protected royal, Harry's security blanket was yanked away after he dared to carve out a new life in California with his American sweetheart, Meghan. Despite his willingness to foot the bill for personal police security, the Home Office slammed the door shut in February 2020, leaving Harry out in the cold.
Fatima said the group that evaluated Harry’s security needs, known by the acronym of its former name, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, or RAVEC acted irrationally and treated him unfairly by failing to follow its own policies that required applying a risk analysis about the duke’s safety.
"Unlawful and unfair," Fatima declared, as she took a stand for Harry's "right to security and safety." The Duke's legal eagle pointed out that the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, or RAVEC, had broken its own rules without so much as a by-your-leave, leaving Harry singled out and in the dark.
"RAVEC should have considered the 'impact’ that a successful attack on the claimant would have, bearing in mind his status, background and profile within the royal family, which he was born into and which he will have for the rest of his life," Fatima said. "RAVEC should have considered, in particular, the impact on the U.K.’s reputation of a successful attack on the claimant."
Harry wasn't in court as attorneys presented opening remarks at a hearing set to be held largely behind closed doors to discuss sensitive security matters. The judge is expected to rule at a later date.
The threats have been plenty in his book
Harry failed to persuade a different judge earlier this year that he should be able to privately pay for London’s police force to guard him when he comes to town. A judge denied that offer after a government lawyer argued that officers shouldn't be used as "private bodyguards for the wealthy."
The government's counter-punch came from lawyer James Eadie, who argued that Harry's "bespoke" treatment was due to his new non-working royal status. But Harry isn't buying it. He's been vocal about the dangers facing his family, especially in the shadow of his mother, Princess Diana's tragic death, chased by paparazzi.
Security threats are no joke for the Sussexes, with Britain's former counter-terrorism chief confirming credible threats from far-right extremists. But the government insists that Harry can't just "buy" his way to protection, fearing a precedent where the rich play cops for hire.
Judge Peter Lane has kept the courtroom drama under wraps, with most of the proceedings shrouded in secrecy to protect sensitive security details. But one thing's for sure, the Duke of Sussex isn't backing down without a fight.
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What a cameo!
With the latest legal instalment due to commence tomorrow, a privacy order has been issued over fears that a large amount of evidence must not enter the public domain meaning most of the three-day hearing will be heard in private.
Mr. Justice Lane said that it was clear that "the material that needs to be protected in the interests of justice is very tightly entangled with less sensitive details required for the court to properly determine the claim."
He added: "This means that the bulk of the hearing must be in private." Stay tuned as this royal security saga unfolds, and the question remains: Will Prince Harry reclaim his right to a royal shield, or will he be left to fend for himself in the land he once called home?
