United Kingdom: Prince Harry loses an appeal on his police protection

British justice on Tuesday rejected Prince Harry's request to pay with his personal funds for his police protection while he is in the United Kingdom. Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan lost the law enforcement protection afforded to them at the expense of the British taxpayer after deciding to step back from the royal family in 2020.

The "Sussexes", who are living with their two children in California, enjoy private protection in the United States. But Harry argues that this security team cannot have access to the information necessary to be able to ensure the safety of his family on British soil. Harry therefore offered to pay for his security by police officers and asked to appeal to the High Court to challenge the refusal of him by the Home Office. But on Tuesday, a judge closed the door to a trial, rejecting the prince's arguments in several points.

'The public interest does not justify'

At a hearing in mid-May, the Interior Ministry argued that it was "not appropriate" for wealthy individuals to "buy" protection that could include armed agents when it was decided that "the public interest does not justify" them receiving protection on the basis of public funding. Harry's appeal was the second concerning his safety. The other case is still ongoing. The issue of his safety came to the fore again in mid-May, with the prince and his wife being chased by paparazzi in a car in New York.

The incident has given rise to divergent versions, but a source close to the couple claimed that the outcome of this "chase" could have been "fatal". Harry accuses the press and paparazzi of causing the car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997 that killed his mother, Lady Di. The prince is also leading a legal offensive against several tabloids. He is expected to testify in person in June, according to the British press.