Prince Harry’s ongoing dispute with King Charles III may escalate, as the UK court has once again turned down his proposal to finance his own police protection.
Royal commentator Shannon Felton Spence indicates that Prince Harry’s previous sentiments about feeling unsafe in the UK, coupled with his move to California and the recent court ruling, suggest that a prolonged return of the Sussex family to the UK appears improbable.
Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” reinforces this opinion, suggesting that it would necessitate a significant event like a royal funeral or court appearance to bring Harry and Meghan back to the UK.
After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle resigned from their senior royal duties in 2020, the British government discontinued their police protection. In response, Prince Harry has been contesting this in court, arguing for continued protection for his family and offering to personally bear the costs. The government, however, argued that employing police officers as private security for the affluent is not appropriate.
Judge Martin Chamberlain backed the government’s position, asserting that the rejection of Prince Harry’s request to fund his own police security is neither inconsistent nor illogical.
Royal specialist Ian Pelham Turner has voiced that the court’s denial of Prince Harry and Markle’s ability to finance their own police protection is a significant blow to the couple.
King Charles III, however, lacks the authority to overturn the court’s decision, as the monarchy does not intervene in governmental matters due to a clear delineation between the two entities.
While Prince Harry’s effort to pay for his own police protection in the UK was unsuccessful, he might have the opportunity to contest the decision to refuse him government-funded security in another court case. If successful, the costs would fall on British taxpayers. Yet, Christopher Andersen speculates that King Charles may not give precedence to such issues and is likely to follow the decisions of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures.
