Private evidence in security appeal shocking, says Harry

Prince Harry suggested the decision to downgrade his personal protection was an attempt to prevent him and his wife Meghan Markle from quitting as working royals and moving abroad, according to a newspaper report.

- MATHILDE GRANDJEAN

The report in The Telegraph, which Buckingham Palace sources have strongly denied, said the Duke of Sussex said his “worst fears” about the withdrawal of his police protection were confirmed by evidence heard in private during his legal battle against the Home Office.

Harry is challenging the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK.

A two-day hearing this week sat partly in private to hear confidential evidence, with The Telegraph reporting the duke was unhappy with what he heard.

Speaking to the newspaper as he left the Royal Courts of Justice, Harry said “people would be shocked by what’s being held back”, adding that his “worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and that’s really sad”.

The newspaper said Harry suggested the decision was designed to stop the pair from quitting their duties. Harry said: “We were trying to create this happy house.”