Prince Harry ignores question about King Charles as he returns to the UK for court appeal
Prince Harry arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday morning
Prince Harry remained silent when asked by a reporter whether he had spoken to his father, King Charles, as he arrived at London’s Court of Appeal this morning (Tuesday, April 8) for the start of a high-profile legal hearing over his police protection case.
The Duke of Sussex, who flew into the UK over the weekend, walked briskly past reporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice.
A reporter reportedly asked Harry: “Did you speak to your dad?” However, the duke had no response.
Charles, 76, departed for a four-day state visit to Italy with Queen Camilla just hours after Harry arrived in London, making a personal meeting between the two unlikely.
Why is Prince Harry at court?
Prince Harry has appealed a High Court ruling that denied his challenge against the Home Office’s decision to downgrade his UK security after stepping back as a senior working royal in 2020.
Harry, 40, has argued that his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, “cannot feel at home” or “safe” in the UK unless his police protection becomes reinstated to previous levels.
Although he offered to personally fund the security, the Home Office rejected the proposal. They stated that taxpayer-funded police protection is not available on a private basis.
“The UK will always be Prince Harry’s home and a country he wants his wife and children to be safe in,” a legal spokesperson for the duke said. “With the lack of police protection comes too great a personal risk.”
Ravec, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, decided in February 2020 that Harry and his family would no longer receive the same level of police protection as working royals.
The duke believes this decision is unfair. He claims that it failed to take proper account of the risks he faces as a public figure and fifth in line to the throne.
Who is Prince Harry’s barrister?
Shaheed Fatima KC, a leading human rights and public law barrister, represents Harry in the case. She argues that the Duke of Sussex has been “singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment”.
Ms Fatima’s legal team contends that Harry inherited a lifelong security risk by birth and continues to face credible threats.
The Home Office, however, is contesting the appeal. They argued that Ravec acted lawfully, applying a case-by-case approach that considered Harry’s changed status and residence abroad.
The Court of Appeal hearing will reportedly span two days. The judges will review whether the original ruling was flawed in law or in procedure.
Charles and Camilla arrive in Italy for state visit
Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla have touched down in Italy for a four-day diplomatic visit. It’s their first since Charles’ cancer diagnosis.
The visit includes engagements in Rome and Ravenna. It was meant to include an audience with Pope Francis. However, this has since been postponed due to the pontiff’s ill health.
However, amid the timing of their trips, it appears unlikely that Harry and his father have reunited – or will – during the prince’s brief return.
This appears to be another missed opportunity for reconciliation between the estranged royals.
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