Last month, days after Prince Andrew lost his HRH and his patronages, the British media geared up to attack Prince Harry en masse. The story was clearly spread by the palace with the purpose of distracting from the Andrew catastrophe. The story? Prince Harry “demands” high-level police protection, even though he “abandoned” the royals and all British people forever, and he expects the British taxpayer to pay for it! Harry was completely prepared for the attack and he issued a statement through his spokesperson very quickly. Harry’s version: yes, he wanted a higher level of police protection when he visited the UK, BUT he wanted to be able to reimburse the police out of his own pocket for the heightened security. His statement pointed out the unique threats Harry and his family still face, and the need for tighter security if and when they visit. Harry wants better protection and he wants to pay for it himself. In his statement, he also said that he was seeking a Judicial Review from the High Court about it. That’s where we are today – Harry’s lawyers are in court for the Judicial Review:
Prince Harry will face the High Court today over the Government’s decision to take away his police bodyguards when he visits the UK. The Duke of Sussex is suing the Home Office because it refused to spend taxpayers’ money on bodyguards.
Harry, 37, who quit royal duty and privileges that come with the job to live in California with Meghan Markle two years ago, says he feels “unsafe” in the UK. He wants to fund his own Met Police armed bodyguards but the Home Office refused and insiders are saying police are not “guns for hire”.
Harry is also arguing that his private protection team in the US does not have adequate jurisdiction abroad or access to UK intelligence information which is needed to keep his family safe. The Duke’s case will be heard by Mr Justice Swift in London’s High Court this morning – but Harry will not be attending in person. It is believed to be the first time a member of the Royal Family has sued Her Majesty’s government. But it comes just six weeks before Harry wants to come back to Britain for a Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey with the Queen. He also wants to come back for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.
True story for Salt Islanders: did y’all know that Prince Andrew is still getting full Royal Protection? It’s true. British taxpayers have paid for Andrew’s full, high-level security for decades, as he flew around, staying at Jeffrey Epstein’s New York home, or Epstein’s private island. Andrew’s RPOs were probably with him when he took Virginia Giuffre, then a 17-year-old trafficked girl, to Tramp nightclub. Andrew still has full Royal Protection today, as he wanders around his 31-bedroom mansion, Royal Lodge.
Anyway, I hope Harry is victorious but who even knows at this point. And who knows how the British media will frame it, win or lose.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, arrives in Dublin, on the 1st of a 2 days visit to Dublin,Image: 377449653, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Netherlands OUT, Point De Vue OUT, Model Release: no, Credit line: Albert Nieboer / DPA Picture Alliance / Avalon
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- 145602, Prince Harry seen at the South African Wildlife College in the Kruger National Park on day five of his tour of Lesotho and South Africa. South Africa – Wednesday December 2, 2015. South Africa. UK, FRANCE, AUS, NZ, CHINA, HONG KONG, TAIWAN, SPAIN & ITALY OUT Photograph: © i-Images, PacificCoastNews. Los Angeles Office: 1 310.822.0419 [email protected] FEE MUST BE AGREED PRIOR TO USAGE,Image: 532077372, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS, DIRECT SALES ONLY UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE IN CAPTION – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – [email protected] London: 44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: 1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: 49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: 34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: i-Images, PacificCoastNews / Avalon
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- DAGENHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 11: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the official opening of the Barking & Dagenham Future Youth Zone on April 11, 2019 in Dagenham, England. The facility is created by the Charity OnSide Youth Zones and is the first of three facilities expected to open in 2019, which will provide a safe environment where young people can come and enjoy themselves, build key skills and raise their aspirations and confidence to create a happier and healthier generation.,Image: 534431393, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – [email protected] London: 44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: 1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: 49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: 34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- The Duke of Sussex, seen arriving for the twelfth annual Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch in aid of the three National Service Charities: ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Guild Hall London.,Image: 535785136, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – [email protected] London: 44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: 1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: 49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: 34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: B2820 / Avalon
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- Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex attends the opening match of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup between England and South Africa at The Oval on May 30, 2019 in London, England. The ICC Cricket World Cup, which takes place from 30th May to 14th July, is being hosted by England and Wales,Image: 536104802, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon [email protected] London 44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles 1 310 822 0419 Berlin 49 30 76 212 251 Madrid 34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex meets Invictus Team UK member Jonathan Mitchell during his visit to the Invictus UK Trials at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield on July 25, 2019 in Sheffield, England.,Image: 536733507, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – [email protected] London: 44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: 1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: 49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
