On April 9th, 2025, Prince Harry Duke of Sussex stormed the Royal Courts of Justice in London, amidst tension and defiance.
The court was the battleground for his fight to reclaim his full security detail, which he had once taken for granted as a working royal.
The couple’s decision to step back in 2020 was framed as a quest for freedom and safety, but critics pinned the blame squarely on Meghan Markle, who remained in California tending to their Monteito empire of podcasts and philanthropy.
Harry’s first day of the appeal had been grueling, with Harry scribbling notes on a pad and his barrista, Fatima Casey, arguing before three senior judges. The case centered on a 2020 decision by the royal and VIP executive committee (RAVC) which downgraded Harry’s protection after he and Megan relinquished their royal duties. Harry was told he didn’t warrant the same level of taxpayer-funded security.
Harry’s claims as overblown were dismissed by the Home Office, and James Ed KCC, representing the government, dismissed his claims as overblown.
The courtroom buzzed with subtext, with some viewing it as a referendum on Harry’s loyalty to his family, country, and institution.
Megan Markle’s influence cast as the spark that ignited this firestorm. As the public portion of the hearing ended, much of the second day’s proceedings were held behind closed doors, delving into sensitive details about threat levels and security protocols. Harry’s frustration and anger were more than a courtroom, as his culmination will be conducted on multiple fronts.
