The Court of Appeal has ruled that Prince Harry’s legal challenge regarding his security arrangements must be conducted mostly in public, with only brief periods of private discussion for highly confidential evidence. The decision, based on the principle of “open justice,” comes as the Duke of Sussex contests a ruling from the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) regarding his right to police protection when visiting the UK.
Prince Harry, who relocated abroad after stepping back from his royal duties in 2020, is appealing a decision that determined he would not receive the same level of personal protective security in Britain as he did while a full-time working member of the Royal family. The appeal is set to be heard on April 8 and 9 in London.
The Court of Appeal judges emphasized the importance of transparency in the upcoming proceedings, stating that non-confidential facts will be presented in open court, allowing press and public attendance. They acknowledged the sensitive nature of some evidence related to security arrangements and threat assessments, which will be discussed in private to safeguard individuals from potential harm.
The Duke’s legal team argues that he was unfairly treated by Ravec and insists that a detailed risk analysis should have been conducted to determine the appropriate level of protection. In response, the Government contends that a tailored approach to security, considering each case individually, was justified.
The upcoming public hearing will shed light on the complexities of Prince Harry’s security arrangements and ensure adherence to the principles of open justice, allowing for a fair and transparent legal process.
