Prince Harry’s bid to regain full police protection while in the United Kingdom has ended in a significant legal and financial defeat, with the Duke of Sussex ordered to cover the majority of the government’s legal costs following his failed High Court challenge.
The legal case, which Harry “comprehensively lost” last year, saw his appeal dismissed in May. As the losing party, he is now liable for up to 90% of the government’s legal fees, an amount already totaling $890703.86. This includes £554,000 from the initial trial and an additional $138425.22 from the appeal.
A breakdown of those costs reveals more than $327063.51 spent on barristers and $534701.34 for government solicitors. While Harry’s own legal expenses have not been made public, estimates suggest they may match or exceed the government’s bill, potentially pushing the total financial impact of the case to around £1.5 million, RadarOnline.
Prince Harry had flown from California to personally attend the High Court hearing in April. His legal team argued that the removal of armed police protection put his life at risk due to his royal background and military history. They contended that the decision was unjust and failed to consider the ongoing security threats he faces.
However, in a damning judgment, the Court ruled against him. Sir Geoffrey Vos, delivering the decision, acknowledged the emotional weight of the prince’s argument. “His position was powerful and moving,” Vos said, but added that Harry’s “sense of grievance” did not equate to a legal basis for reinstating state-funded protection.
Following the court’s rejection of his appeal, Prince Harry expressed his frustration in a BBC interview. “I wish someone had told me beforehand that there was ‘no way to win,” he said. He also described the lawsuit as “the one that mattered the most” out of all his ongoing legal battles.
The ruling marks another setback for the Duke, who has spent recent years challenging the British press, security decisions, and the broader establishment in courtrooms on both sides of the Atlantic. This case, however, stood out as particularly personal, tied directly to his safety and role as a high-profile public figure navigating life outside royal duties.
With the appeal officially dismissed and legal bills mounting, the case closes with a heavy cost, not just in terms of finances, but also in Harry’s broader effort to balance public life with personal security concerns.