In a recent development, Prince Harry has been granted permission to appeal against a decision made in February that backed the Government’s right to deny him automatic police protection. However, a Court of Appeal judge dismissed his request to expedite the appeal, stating that he could not “jump the queue.”

Background

In February 2020, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) decided to withdraw Prince Harry’s right to automatic security. The move sparked controversy and legal battles that have dragged on for two-and-a-half years. Seeking a judicial review, Prince Harry comprehensively lost the case in September 2021. While most of his grounds of appeal were rejected, Lord Justice Bean acknowledged that one ground had a real prospect of success.

The Appeal

Prince Harry’s legal team will now proceed with the appeal, which aims to address the fairness and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules regarding security decisions. Despite the ongoing litigation, Prince Harry remains committed to ensuring equal consideration as others in accordance with Ravec’s policy.

Request to expedite the appeal

Royal author and commentator Angela Levin claimed Harry appealed the case because he’s “going away with Meghan for a tour, a world tour, which made my heart pump because this is going to be another copy of what the Royal Family is like and he wants to be covered.”

Prince Harry wanted the appeal to be heard by the end of July, in part due to fears that the ruling would influence the approach other countries take to his security.

With the Sussexes understood to be planning multiple overseas tours in the coming months, the Duke argued that the litigation had already dragged on for two-and-a-half years and said his legal team would be busy with other matters from October.

However, while Lord Justice Bean allowed the appeal, he refused the application to expedite proceedings.

The judge noted: “It is rightly not suggested that the claimant is entitled to jump the queue because of his status.”

Implications

The Court of Appeal’s decision will have significant implications for both Prince Harry and the broader royal family. As the legal battle continues, questions arise about the balance between security protocols and individual rights. The outcome of this appeal could set a precedent for future cases involving high-profile figures.

Prince Harry’s security appeal remains a contentious issue, highlighting the delicate balance between public safety and personal entitlement. As the legal process unfolds, all eyes are on the Court of Appeal to determine whether the prince can indeed “jump the queue” or if he must wait his turn like any other citizen.