Buckingham Palace has rushed to counter claims made by Prince Harry in a recent bombshell interview related to his ongoing legal battle over personal security during visits to the United Kingdom.
The Duke of Sussex has been challenging the UK Home Office in court, arguing that he was “singled out” for “unjustified and inferior treatment” by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), which is responsible for assigning security to members of the royal family and key public figures.
Legal Battle Over Security
Prince Harry attended a two-day legal hearing earlier this week, during which he contested a decision to downgrade his security despite the risks he says he still faces. In a rare and candid interview following the proceedings, Harry described feeling “exhausted and overwhelmed,” stating that his “worst fears have been confirmed” by the disclosures made during the case.
READ MORE: Why Is Viola Davis in Prime Video’s Action Thriller G20?
He implied that the only person who could fully resolve the issue was his father, King Charles III. However, this statement drew swift response from Palace insiders, who dismissed the notion that the monarch could or should interfere with judicial matters.
Palace Pushes Back
According to The Telegraph, sources within Buckingham Palace “strongly refuted the idea that the monarch could involve himself in the judicial process.” The King’s private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, is a member of Ravec, which Harry is challenging. However, officials emphasized that Buckingham Palace maintains a strict policy of not commenting on security matters, citing both protocol and national security concerns.
The palace was quick to reinforce the existing line of succession-based protections. Full-time taxpayer-funded security is currently only extended to the King and Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their three children.
Tensions Within the Royal Family
The ongoing rift between Prince Harry and the rest of the royal family continues to deepen. Sources report that he has not seen or spoken to either King Charles or Prince William for several months. His recent remarks suggest a growing sense of estrangement.
In the interview, Harry also suggested that the current travel security arrangement—requiring him to give a 30-day notice before visiting the UK, after which his security needs are assessed on a case-by-case basis—is being used as a form of control.
He speculated that the bespoke nature of his security arrangement could be intended as a tactic to coerce his return into the royal fold.
King’s Health and Harry’s Claims
Prince Harry’s statements come at a particularly sensitive time, as King Charles has recently made headlines with reports of health issues and ongoing treatment. The timing of the interview and the nature of the comments have been seen by some as potentially damaging to royal unity.
Despite the fraught circumstances, King Charles has made no public statement on the matter, staying consistent with the palace’s policy of not discussing security arrangements in the media.
Future of the Legal Dispute
The court has yet to deliver a ruling in Prince Harry’s legal challenge. Legal experts note that the case could have broad implications for how security is handled for royal family members who step back from formal duties, especially in the wake of Harry and Meghan Markle’s move to the United States.
Observers also point out that this dispute is part of a larger pattern of legal action from Harry, who has ongoing litigation with several British media outlets.
As the court decision looms and with tensions simmering between royal family members, this latest episode further underscores the growing divide within the monarchy—and raises questions about whether any reconciliation between Prince Harry and the senior royals is likely in the near future.
