Prince Harry’s security appeal has got underway at the Court of Appeal for a second day.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, took his seat at the Royal Courts of Justice in London again today as he challenges the dismissal of his legal action against the Home Office, after it decided not to give him the highest level of security protection while he is in the UK.
It comes after the 40-year-old duke’s lawyer told the court yesterday that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle “felt forced to step back” from their roles as senior working royals.
In written submissions, the duke’s barrister told the court that Harry and Meghan felt they “were not being protected by the institution” when they stepped away from their duties in January 2020, but “wished to continue their duties in support of the late Queen as privately funded members of the royal family”.
Much of the second day of the two-day hearing is expected to be heard in private.
Harry is reported to have arrived in London on Sunday, hours before the King, 76, left with the Queen on Monday for a visit to Italy.
The four-day state visit to Rome comes as Charles continues to face health concerns. He was forced to postpone his engagements on 28 March following a short stay in hospital after experiencing side effects from his cancer treatment.
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Prince Harry says he was ‘singled out’ for ‘inferior’ treatment in UK security appeal
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What you need to know about Prince Harry’s various legal cases
The Duke of Sussex’s legal challenge over his UK security - a timeline
Key Points
- Harry's decision to step back as senior royal was in 'a category of its own'
- Duke of Sussex arrives at court for second day of security appeal
- What Court of Appeal was told on first day of Harry's security challenge
- Prince Harry believes security arrangements singled him out for 'inferior treatment'
- Harry and King ‘did not meet before duke’s court date’
Ravec is a 'delegate' of home secretary who is 'democratically-accountable decisionmaker'
11:46 , Tara CobhamA barrister for the Home Office has described the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) as a “delegate” of the Home Secretary, who is “the democratically-accountable decisionmaker”.
In oral submissions about the role of Ravec, Sir James Eadie KC, for the Home Office, told the Court of Appeal today: “If the wrong decision is made, the fallout from that comes to the secretary of state. She is the democratically-accountable decisionmaker and Ravec is operating through her.
“Ravec is able to draw upon expertise and is itself expert and experienced in a thoroughly important way.”
Sir James later said Ravec’s decisions “are made in the context of and about security, including national security”.
Prince Harry types on his phone as barristers present submissions
11:18 , Barney DavisPrince Harry was listening intently to barristers for the Home Office presenting their submissions before the Court of Appeal.
He picks up his phone and appears to type a long message during the hearing.
The Duke of Sussex folds his arms and gazes at the ceiling before handing a barrister a note.
During the one hour public section of the hearing, he wipes his brow before whispering to a lawyer to his left side.
He then goes back to staring ahead to follow proceedings as Sir James Eadie KC, for the Home Office, makes submissions outlining the reason why he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.
Judge warns against 'asking wrong question' and acting in 'knee-jerk' ways
11:13 , Tara CobhamA Court of Appeal judge has warned against “asking the wrong question” and acting in any “knee-jerk” ways in such an “important case”.
On the second day of Prince Harry’s hearing, the judge said: “It seems to be, at the moment, that it might be the case that we are asking the wrong question.”
He continued: “The question is whether the authority has failed to follow the policy, as interpreted by the court, without good reason.”
He suggested the question “should not be split up as both sides tend to be doing”, to avoid getting into “irrationality”.
He added: “This is an important case. We don’t want to get it wrong and we don’t want to knee jerk.”
Harry's decision to step back as senior royal was in 'a category of its own'
11:02 , Tara CobhamPrince Harry’s decision to step back as a senior working royal has been described as so unusual as to be in a “category of its own” at his appeal hearing challenging his UK security arrangements.
A barrister for the Home Office told the court today: “There is nothing about the appellant’s announcement in January 2020 that he was to step back from his role in the royal family and spend most of his time abroad was usual.”
He added: “It was a category of its own.”
Second day of Duke of Sussex's security appeal gets underway
10:38 , Tara CobhamThe second day of the Duke of Sussex’s appeal has started at the Court of Appeal.
Harry sat behind his barristers with a notepad, pen and bottle of water in front of him, arriving in Court 73 a few minutes before the hearing began.
Duke of Sussex takes seat in court
10:27 , Tara CobhamThe Duke of Sussex has taken his seat in court as the second day of his security challenge is set to begin shortly.
Wearing a dark blue suit, and holding a notebook and pen, Prince Harry went to sit with his lawyers at the back of the courtroom.
Prince Harry arrives at court for second day of security appeal
10:16 , Tara CobhamThe Duke of Sussex has arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice ahead of the second day of his appeal over his security while in the UK.
Harry is challenging the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.
After attending the first day of the case on Tuesday, the duke arrived at the court in central London at around 10.10am on Wednesday.
Harry, 40, wore a dark suit and waved to reporters as he entered the building.
The hearing before Sir Geoffrey Vos, Lord Justice Bean and Lord Justice Edis is due to resume at 10.30am.
Sir Geoffrey previously said that some of Wednesday’s hearing will be held in private because of confidential matters being discussed, before concluding in public.
In pictures: Prince Harry arrives at Court of Appeal for second day of hearing
10:16 , Barney Davis
Watch: King Charles meets Italian PM on 20th wedding anniversary with Queen Camilla
10:03 , Barney DavisKing Charles meets with Italian PM
09:59 , Barney DavisKing Charles has met with the Italian Prime Minister ahead of becoming the first British monarch to address a joint session of the Italian Parliament.
King Charles met Giorgia Meloni before visiting a round table on “Clean Energy Supply Chains.”
He will then head to the Palazzo Madama, the seat of the Italian Senate, where he will speak before a joint session of Parliament.
In the evening, the King will attend private meetings as well as a state banquet hosted by President Matarella.
It is the 17th official visit of King Charles to Italy and his first major journey since a brief hospitalisation due to side effects of his cancer treatments.
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09:52 , Barney DavisKing Charles and Queen Camilla met more than 50 years ago but their romance did not take the usual path, Danica Kirka reports:
Prince Harry didn't meet King Charles before Rome trip
09:33 , Barney DavisPrince Harry didn’t meet his father King Charles before his court appearance, according to reports.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice in London to challenge the dismissal of his legal action against the Home Office.
Harry is reported to have arrived in London on Sunday, hours before the King, 76, left with the Queen on Monday for an anniversary visit to Italy.
Prince Harry waved as he entered the central London court on Tuesday morning, but did not reply as a reporter asked, "Did you speak to your dad?"
Meghan Markle acknowledges ‘brutalising’ media backlash
09:30 , Tara CobhamMeghan Markle has made a rare acknowledgement of the “media backlash” she’s experienced in recent years.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, has been at the centre of a frenzy since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018, with every gesture, item of clothing, and business decision scrutinised and unpicked. Her husband Prince Harry told Oprah Winfrey in 2021 that tabloid racism was a “large part” of why the couple left the country to live in California.
Analysis from Statista in 2020 showed that Markle received overwhelmingly negative media coverage with 43 per cent of articles deemed negative, 36 per cent neutral, and only 20 per cent positive.
My colleague Maira Butt reports:
When is the second day of Harry's security appeal due to begin
09:00 , Tara CobhamThe second day of Prince Harry’s security appeal is set to get underway from around 10.30am today.
The first hour or so is set to be heard in public, before evidence in private, with final submissions in public expected from around 3.30pm.
Watch live: Prince Harry's legal challenge over UK security continues at Court of Appeal
08:43 , Tara CobhamWhat you need to know about Prince Harry’s various legal cases
08:30 , Tara CobhamPrince Harry is appealing against the dismissal of his High Court challenge against the Home Office.
This is the latest in the long saga over his security arrangements in the UK.
For the next two days, the Court of Appeal will legal argument in Harry’s bid.
Here, we look at The Duke of Sussex’s recent legal cases:
What you need to know about Prince Harry’s various legal cases
What Court of Appeal was told on first day of Harry's security appeal hearing
08:14Prince Harry is challenging the dismissal of his High Court legal action against the Home Office over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.
Here is some of the evidence heard on the first day of the two-day hearing:
- Shaheed Fatima KC, for the duke, said that Harry has been “singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment”
- She also told the court the Duke and Duchess of Sussex “felt forced to step back” from their roles as senior working royals as they felt they “were not being protected by the institution”
- Sir James Eadie KC, for the Home Office, emphasised that “security would not be provided on the same basis as before because of his change of status and because he was now going to live abroad for the majority of his time”
Second day of Prince Harry’s security appeal set to get underway shortly
07:50 , Tara CobhamThe second day of Prince Harry’s security appeal is set to get underway shortly.
The Duke of Sussex is appealing against a High Court ruling dismissing his legal claim against the Home Office over the level of security he receives while he is in the UK.
The two-day hearing is being held at the Royal Courts Of Justice in central London.
The first day heard the duke has been “singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment”.
The duke’s lawyer told the court yesterday that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle “felt forced to step back” from their roles as senior working royals.
The second day is set to get underway from around 10.30am today. The first hour or so is set to be heard in public, before evidence in private, with final submissions in public expected from around 3.30pm.
Timeline: Prince Harry’s legal challenge over his UK security
07:18 , Tara CobhamPrince Harry is appealing against a ruling related to the level of taxpayer-funded security he receives while he’s home in the UK.
It comes after retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane dismissed Harry’s 2024 challenge against the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) in early 2020 that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the UK.
Ravec has delegated responsibility from the Home Office over the provision of protective security arrangements for members of the royal family and others, with involvement from the Metropolitan Police, the Cabinet Office and the royal household.
The Court of Appeal is due to hear the challenge over two days in London.
Here is a timeline of the case so far:
Timeline: Prince Harry’s legal challenge over his UK security
Meghan Markle offers free gifts to As Ever customers after products sold out
07:02 , Athena StavrouMeghan Markle has offered a special deal to customers who bought products from her business after everything was already out of stock.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, debuted her highly anticipated brand, As Ever, on April 2, and all the products sold out in less than an hour.
However, some customers learned that after they’d purchased items — including raspberry jams, flower sprinkles, and wildflower honey — those products had already sold out.
Read the full story here:
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Meghan Markle offers free gifts to fans who bought products after they’d sold out
The curious unravelling of Virginia Giuffre and why the plot thickens every day
06:00 , Athena StavrouThe woman who accused Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse made headlines this week, saying she was dying after being involved in a car crash.
As the veracity of her claims is questioned, Angela Mollard reports from Sydney on what we really know about the woman once dubbed ‘the Duchess of Ocean Reef’.
Read the full premium piece here:
The curious unravelling of Virginia Giuffre and why the plot thickens every day
Royal visit to Italy to deliver 'meaningful and broad legacy'
05:04 , Athena StavrouEdward Llewellyn, the UK’s ambassador to Italy and San Marino, said before King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down at the Italian air force section of Ciampino International airport: “This visit will deliver a meaningful and broad legacy, above all their majesties will do something intangible but priceless.
“Their visit will strengthen the closeness between our nations in a way that only they can, creating memories that will last a generation.
“Their love for Italy and all things Italian, the things Italians cherish – culture, food, heritage – resonate very, very deeply.
“So a lot to look forward to in the next few days. The state visit that brings together, quite simply, the best of Italy and the best of Britain, the closest of friends, allies and partners.”
How King Charles and Queen Camilla will spend their 20th wedding anniversary
03:59 , Athena StavrouThe King and Queen will mark their 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday by spending the evening as guests of honour at a state banquet in Rome.
The black-tie dinner, a highlight of the couple’s four-day state visit to Italy which begins on Monday, will be attended by prominent figures from Italian society.
The day will mark two decades since Charles and Camilla wed at Windsor Guildhall on April 9, 2005.
Read the full story here:
How King Charles and Queen Camilla will spend their 20th wedding anniversary
Pictured: King and Queen's trip to Italy so far
02:23 , Athena Stavrou
Harry and King ‘did not meet before duke’s High Court date’
01:00 , Athena StavrouThe Duke of Sussex did not meet the King before Harry’s High Court date, according to reports.
The pair are believed to have last met soon after Charles announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2024 and his son, who now lives with his family in California, rushed from the US to see him.
Harry, 40, came to the UK to attend the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday morning for an appeal in his legal challenge over his security arrangements while visiting the UK.
How did Charles and Camilla meet?
Tuesday 8 April 2025 23:59 , Athena StavrouCharles first met fun, confident Camilla on the Windsor Great Park polo field in 1970 when he had just left Cambridge University, a year before he joined the Royal Navy.
No marriage proposal came, despite the closeness between the pair and when the relationship cooled after Charles dedicated himself to his Navy career, Camilla wed cavalry officer Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973 and Charles later married Diana, Princess of Wales in 1981.
After Charles and Camilla both divorced – and Diana died in l997 – Camilla’s eventual emergence as Charles’ long-term partner was part of a carefully planned PR campaign masterminded by the heir to the throne’s spin doctor Mark Bolland.
Their first public appearance together was outside the Ritz hotel in London in 1999, dubbed Operation Ritz, where the mass of waiting photographers had been tipped off.
Pictured: King and Queen at evening reception in Rome
Tuesday 8 April 2025 22:31 , Athena Stavrou
Charles and Camilla attend evening reception
Tuesday 8 April 2025 21:29 , Athena StavrouThe King and Queen have attended a reception at Villa Wolkonsky in Rome, the residence of the UK ambassador.
Charles and Camilla spoke to members of the British-Italian community at the reception - which David Lammy and his wife Nicola Green also attended - on the second day of their four day state visit to Italy.
Royals to use 'soft power' diplomacy to strengthen UK global ties
Tuesday 8 April 2025 20:16 , Athena StavrouThe royal family have played a key role in Britain’s diplomatic efforts in recent months.
Donald Trump’s return to office highlighted the importance of the monarchs in strengthening international ties.
The King and Prince of Wales are “front and centre” of Sir Keir Starmer’s charm offensive on the US president, given Mr Trump’s long-documented affection for the royals.
Charles and Camilla will now now use the “soft power” diplomacy of the monarch to strengthen Britain’s relationship with its European ally, Italy, on their state visit this week.
King hails ‘brilliant’ restoration of the Colosseum during state visit to Rome
Tuesday 8 April 2025 19:07 , Athena StavrouThe King has hailed “brilliant” restoration work preserving the Colosseum in Rome after posing in front of the famous attraction with the Queen.
School children excitedly shouted “He’s coming, that’s the King!” when the royal convoy was first spotted at the Colosseum, and cheers greeted the couple as they stepped from their state Bentley.
The couple met Italian TV presenter and historian Alberto Angela, who spoke about Rome’s history and the Colosseum’s restoration, as they looked at the ruins of the Roman Forum, ancient government buildings close to the amphitheatre.
“Still today, it looks impressive,” the King and Queen were told, as they both nodded in agreement.
They listened as Mr Angela explained how the once bustling heart of ancient Rome was largely destroyed by a major earthquake in the 9th century that cause significant damage to the buildings.
Before they left the King told him the restoration work was “brilliant”, and the Queen said: “It was lovely to be able to see this today.”
Watch: King Charles and Queen Camilla lay wreath at Italy's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during state visit
Tuesday 8 April 2025 18:42 , Athena StavrouPictured: Harry gives thumbs up as he leaves court
Tuesday 8 April 2025 17:33 , Athena Stavrou
First day of court proceedings conclude
Tuesday 8 April 2025 16:19 , Athena StavrouThe first day of the Duke of Sussex’s appeal related to his security arrangements while in the UK has concluded at the Court of Appeal.
At the end of the hearing on Tuesday, Sir Geoffrey Vos told the parties: “We will have a bit of a time issue.”
He continued: “I would urge you, please, to be as economic as you can so nobody feels hard done by.”
The hearing before Sir Geoffrey, Lord Justice Bean and Lord Justice Edis is set to resume at 10.30am on Wednesday.
Sir Geoffrey previously said that some of Wednesday’s hearing will be held in private because of confidential matters being discussed, before concluding in public.
Home Office barristers begin submissions
Tuesday 8 April 2025 15:48 , Athena StavrouBarristers for the Home Office have begun their submissions at the Court of Appeal in the Duke of Sussex’s challenge over security arrangements while in the UK.
Sir James Eadie KC, representing the department, said: “It’s important to emphasise that the decision was not that personal security of the kind previously provided would under no circumstances be provided.
“Rather it was simply that that security would not be provided on the same basis as before because of his (the duke’s) change of status and because he was now going to live abroad for the majority of his time.”
Watch: Charles and Camilla welcomed to Rome for four-day state visit
Tuesday 8 April 2025 15:37 , Athena StavrouSketch of Prince Harry in court today
Tuesday 8 April 2025 15:16 , Athena StavrouPrince Harry has been sat in the Royal Courts of Justice today, listening to his appeal against the decision to dismiss his High Court case against the Home Office.
During the hearing he sat behind his barristers and next to his solicitor in a packed courtroom, with a notepad and pen in front of him, occasionally taking notes.
What is Prince Harry's argument?
Tuesday 8 April 2025 15:01 , Athena StavrouHarry is in court today to challenge the dismissal of his High Court legal action against the Home Office.
The duke has taken legal action over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country after he stepped down as a senior working royal in 2020.
His barrister Shaheed Fatima KC has made several arguments and claims in court on Tuesday morning, including:
- Ravec “did not apply its own terms of reference” to the decision-making process when it decided on Harry’s security.
- Ravec did not get an assessment from an “expert specialist body called the risk management board, or the RMB” and came up with a “different and so-called ‘bespoke process’”.
- Harry “has been singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment” due to this “bespoke process”.
- Harry is not arguing he should be entitled to the same protection he was given as a senior working royal, but that he should be “considered under the terms of reference and subject to the same process as any other individual being considered for protective security by Ravec”.
Pictured: King and Queen visit Rome
Tuesday 8 April 2025 14:50 , Athena Stavrou
Royal visit to Italy to deliver 'meaningful and broad legacy'
Tuesday 8 April 2025 14:36 , Athena StavrouEdward Llewellyn, the UK’s ambassador to Italy and San Marino, said before King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down at the Italian air force section of Ciampino International airport: “This visit will deliver a meaningful and broad legacy, above all their majesties will do something intangible but priceless.
“Their visit will strengthen the closeness between our nations in a way that only they can, creating memories that will last a generation.
“Their love for Italy and all things Italian, the things Italians cherish – culture, food, heritage – resonate very, very deeply.
“So a lot to look forward to in the next few days. The state visit that brings together, quite simply, the best of Italy and the best of Britain, the closest of friends, allies and partners.”
Watch: Prince Harry arrives at court ahead of challenge over security arrangements
Tuesday 8 April 2025 14:24 , Athena StavrouKing and Queen join tourists on visit to Colosseum
Tuesday 8 April 2025 14:01 , Athena StavrouWhile Prince Harry arrives at the High Court in London, the King and Queen have begun their first full day of their Italian state visit.
Charles and Camilla posed in front of Rome’s Colosseum as they enjoyed one of the surviving marvels of the Roman world.
The couple stood just metres from a ruined temple dedicated to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, and Rome on the eve of their 20th wedding anniversary.
Charles and Camilla turned to look at the crowds below them who cheered and they acknowledged them with a wave.
Why is Prince Harry in court?
Tuesday 8 April 2025 13:49 , Athena StavrouThe Duke of Sussex is in London on Tuesday to a appeal a decision made by the High Court last year.
Harry took legal action against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country.
In February 2024, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane ruled last year that Ravec’s decision, taken after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit as senior working royals, was lawful.
But Harry is now to appealing the ruling on Tuesday and Wednesday in London.
Meghan and Harry wanted to 'continue duties' after stepping back as royals
Tuesday 8 April 2025 13:37 , Athena StavrouThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex “felt forced to step back” from their roles as senior working royals as they felt they “were not being protected by the institution”, the Court of Appeal has been told.
Harry and his wife Meghan quit as senior working royals in January 2020 but “wished to continue their duties in support of the late Queen as privately funded members of the royal family”, the duke’s barristers told a hearing on Tuesday.
In written submissions, Shaheed Fatima KC, for the duke, said: “On 8 January 2020, (the duke) and his wife felt forced to step back from the role of full time official working members of the royal family as they considered they were not being protected by the institution, but they wished to continue their duties in support of the late Queen as privately funded members of the royal family.”
Duchess of Sussex acknowledges 'media backlash'
Tuesday 8 April 2025 13:32 , Athena StavrouMeghan Markle has made a rare acknowledgement of the “media backlash” she’s experienced in recent years.
For the first episode of her new podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, Markle interviewed Bumble founder and close friend Whitney Wolfe Herd.
“When I see the way that you’ve been treated in the media, which is a magnitude I’ll never understand, my heart breaks for you. It’s not fair, and it’s brutalising,” Herd told Markle.
The Duchess agreed, saying: “Well, maybe because you understand it in whatever degree, you know how to show up for me.”
Herd then recalled an experience of walking through an Irish airport and seeing Markle on “the cover of every single magazine and newspaper”.
Recalling her surprise, Herd said: “I’m in Ireland – [you’re] back home in California doing school drop-off, [you’re] the front page of every single one of these things.”
“I know,” Markle agreed.
Harry and King ‘did not meet before duke’s High Court date’
Tuesday 8 April 2025 12:59 , Holly EvansThe Duke of Sussex did not meet the King before Harry’s High Court date, according to reports.
The pair are believed to have last met soon after Charles announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2024 and his son, who now lives with his family in California, rushed from the US to see him.
Harry, 40, came to the UK to attend the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday morning for an appeal in his legal challenge over his security arrangements while visiting the UK.
He waved at journalists and did not reply as a reporter asked: “Did you speak to your dad?”
The duke is said to have arrived in London on Sunday, hours before the King, 76, left with the Queen on Monday for a state visit to Italy.
Harry also visited the UK without meeting his father in May last year, during a trip to celebrate his Invictus Games.
He said at the time that he hoped to see his father “soon” after the King’s “full programme” meant a reunion was not then possible.
Legal challenge shows 'continued failure to see the wood for the trees', Home Office says
Tuesday 8 April 2025 12:40 , Holly EvansIn written submissions for the Home Office, which is legally responsible for Ravec’s decisions, barrister Sir James Eadie KC said the Duke of Sussex’s appeal “involves a continued failure to see the wood for the trees”.
He said: “(The Home Office) has, and continues to, treat (the duke) in a bespoke manner. He is no longer a member of the cohort of individuals whose security position remains under regular review by Ravec.
“Rather, he is brought back into the cohort in appropriate circumstances, and in light of consideration of any given context.”
He stressed that the approach was a matter for the judgement of Ravec, which the judge in the previous court case had found to be lawful.
In his ruling, the judge found that Prince Harry had relied upon an “inappropriate, formalist interpretation” of how Ravec conducts security arrangements, and a “mechanistic, overly literal approach” which was misconceived.
He added: “The appeal is fairly to be characterised in the same way. It involves a continued failure to see the wood for the trees, advancing propositions available only by reading small parts of the evidence, and now the judgment, out of context and ignoring the totality of the picture.”
