Prince Harry has once again crossed the Atlantic, stepping back onto British soil, but this time not for royal duties or family gatherings — he’s here to fight a legal battle that has stretched on for years.
On Tuesday, April 8, the Duke of Sussex appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London to challenge a decision that changed the way his personal security is handled during visits to the UK.
Why is Prince Harry in court?
The core of the case revolves around Harry’s ongoing effort to regain police protection for himself and his family while in Britain.
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, the prince has faced downgraded security arrangements, and he believes the process behind that decision was flawed.
His legal team argues that the government failed to conduct a proper threat assessment and excluded him from the same review process used for others in similar situations.
His lawyer, Shaheed Fatima KC, told the court that the body responsible for determining royal security — known as RAVEC — bypassed an essential step by not involving the Risk Management Board, which typically offers expert analysis.
According to Fatima, the result was a “bespoke” security setup that singled Harry out for inferior treatment. She added that Harry wasn’t asking for the same protection he once had as a senior working royal, but simply a fair evaluation like anyone else in his category.
Inside the courtroom, Prince Harry looked calm and focused. Dressed in a dark suit, he exchanged quiet words with his lawyer and occasionally took notes.
Observers say he briefly smiled and waved at those outside before stepping into the building.
The hearing continues into April 9 and is being closely followed — not just because of its legal implications, but also because it shines a light on Harry’s strained relationship with his family, especially with his father, King Charles III.
Did Harry meet with King Charles?
While Harry touched down in London ahead of the court date, questions quickly arose: did he see his father before the King flew to Italy for a state visit? The answer remains unclear.
According to reports, a meeting wasn’t expected, and neither Buckingham Palace nor Harry’s spokesperson offered any comment.
It’s believed the last time they saw each other was in February, shortly after the King announced his cancer diagnosis. That meeting was brief, lasting only about 30 minutes.
People close to Harry say the relationship between father and son remains complicated.
Harry reportedly believes that his father is the only one who could step in and help fix the situation with his security.
But constitutional experts note that the monarch has no direct say in these decisions — a claim a palace source also supported, calling the idea that Charles could influence RAVEC “wholly incorrect.”
This case is personal for Harry. He has said he doesn’t feel safe bringing his children to the UK without official protection, even offering to personally fund the security — a request the government rejected.
Government lawyers argue that RAVEC was justified in taking a unique approach based on Harry’s status.
They say the committee’s decision was lawful and well-documented. Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Home Office, pointed out that Harry’s security wasn’t removed entirely, just adjusted. He described it as a judgment call made under complex circumstances.
For now, all eyes are on the courtroom. Whether or not Harry and his father shared a moment together during this brief window in London remains a mystery.