Prince Harry loses High Court battle with Home Office over his UK security

Prince Harry has lost his High Court challenge against the Home Office over a decision to change the level of his taxpayer-funded personal security when he visits the UK.

The Duke of Sussex took legal action against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision that he should receive a downgraded degree of protection by security.

Following a hearing in December, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane issued his ruling over the case on Wednesday.

The Duke’s lawyers previously told the court that he was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” in the decision to change the level of his taxpayer-funded personal security.

They argued a failure to carry out a risk analysis and fully consider the impact of a “successful attack” on him meant the approach to his protection was “unlawful and unfair”.

Most of the proceedings in December were held in private, without the public or press present, due to the confidential evidence involving security measures in the case.

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Harry, who was not present at the December hearing, has lived in North America with wife Meghan and their two children after the couple announced they were stepping back as senior royals in 2020.

The court was also told that Harry believes his children cannot “feel at home” in the UK if it is “not possible to keep them safe” there.

Earlier this month, Harry settled the remaining parts of his phone hacking claim against Mirror Group Newspapers.

The Duke decided in January to withdraw a libel claim against ANL over a February 2022 Mail on Sunday article about his legal challenge against the Home Office.

This is a breaking news story and is being updated.