Prince Harry’s UK security court case against Home Office cost taxpayers more than £500,000

Prince Harry’s UK security court case against the Home Office has cost taxpayers over £500,000.

Last month, the Duke of Sussex suffered a defeat in his High Court battle against the Home Office where he was fighting to receive a different degree of protection when in the UK.

Figures released via the Freedom of Information request found that the total cost of two separate judicial review claims lodged by the prince totalled £514,128.

This cost to the British taxpayer is likely to raise concerns about Royal Family members taking legal action against the Government.

The ruling also left the duke facing an estimated legal bill of over £1million.

Figures reported by the Telegraph included more than £180,000 for counsel, £320,000 for the Government Legal Department, £2,300 in court fees and almost £10,000 in e-disclosure

The court found that there had not been any unlawfulness in reaching the decision of February 28, 2020, and that any departure from policy was justified.

In 2020, a decision was made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that Harry should receive a different level of protection in the UK than when the prince was a working royal.

In May 2023, the duke was denied the right to bring a second legal challenge where he offered to pay for his own protection in the UK.

Prince Harry argued that the withdrawal of guaranteed police protection makes him and his family vulnerable when visiting the UK.

The duke is required to give 30 days’ notice of any travel plans to Britain so each visit can be assessed on its merits.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said in February: “We are pleased that the Court has found in favour of the Government’s position in this case, and we are carefully considering our next steps. It would be inappropriate to comment further

The court documents which were filed in the US mention that guests were drawn to Combs’ alleged sex-trafficking parties because of his “access to celebrities and international dignitaries including Prince Harry.”

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on Prince Harry’s part in these court documents, and the prince is only understood to have met Combs once and never attended any of his parties or concerts.

Rodney Jones, a record producer, is accusing Combs of a series of series of sexual assault allegations.

Combs’s lawyers have denied these claims, saying: “We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies.”