Prince Harry has been given the green light to appeal a High Court ruling dismissing his challenge to the level of police protection he receives in the UK.
In February this year, the Duke of Sussex, who now lives in California, lost his legal challenge against the Home Office’s decision to change the level of his personal security when he visits the UK.
His lawyers had argued he was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” in the decision, which meant he would no longer be given the “same degree” of taxpayer-funded personal security when visiting.
However, the High Court ruled the decision to change his security status was not unlawful or “irrational”, and that there had been no “procedural unfairness”.
In April, he was refused permission to challenge the ruling – but the Court of Appeal has now said it will hear the Duke’s challenge following a direct application from his lawyers.
Granting the appeal, Judge David Bean said he was persuaded “not without hesitation” that Harry’s challenge has a real prospect of success.
Harry received full, publicly-funded security protection until he stepped back from royal duties and moved to America with wife Meghan Markle in March 2020.
Prince Harry cannot expand case against Sun’s publisher to include claims about Meghan, High Court rules
Harry and Meghan’s charity ‘delinquent’ over records mishap, US authority says
As Prince William gets new military title with Army Air Corps, we’ll never know if Harry should have got the role
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) – which has delegated responsibility from the Home Office for royal security – decided he would not receive the same level of protection.
The Duke then launched legal action against the Home Office and multiple hearings have taken place since.
More from Sky News:
Sussexes’ charity labelled ‘delinquent’
Harry officially declares US as home
After the ruling earlier this year, a legal spokesman for Harry said he intended to appeal, adding: “The duke is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules, ensuring that he receives the same consideration as others in accordance with Ravec’s own written policy.
“In February 2020, Ravec failed to apply its written policy to the Duke of Sussex and excluded him from a particular risk analysis.”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
The spokesman continued: “The duke’s case is that the so-called ‘bespoke process’ that applies to him is no substitute for that risk analysis.
“The Duke of Sussex hopes he will obtain justice from the Court of Appeal, and makes no further comment while the case is ongoing.”
The case is one of a number of high-profile legal battles Harry has brought to the High Court in recent years.
