Prince Harry Loses Legal Fight for Police Protection in the U.K.
The Duke of Sussex had argued that he should have automatic protection for himself and his family whenever they visit the U.K. from their home in California after the U.K. authorities stripped away the right in February 2020, shortly after he and wife Meghan Markle stepped back from official royal duties. In a statement in December, Harry said he "felt forced" to step back from his royal role and leave the U.K. in 2020, citing security concerns for his family: his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, son Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2.On Wednesday, however, High Court judge Peter Lane upheld the decision by the U.K. government and, specifically, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) to downgrade his security. The court has found that there has not been any unlawfulness in reaching the decision of 28 February 2020," Lane ruled in documents seen by PEOPLE. "The decision was not irrational.