Prince Harry’s failed legal bid to reinstate his round-the-clock security on UK trips is said to have cost over £500,000
Prince Harry’s failed attempt to reinstate his security protection on UK trips is said to have cost over £500,000.
It’s reported officials forked out a total of £514,128 as they took on two separate judicial review claims by Harry following the decision to downgrade his security status when he left his role as a working royal and headed stateside. With Harry vowing to appeal the decision, this total could rise further.
The amount of costs Harry or the Government would have to bear would depend ultimately on what the court ordered, with the loser usually paying the winner’s reasonable costs.
The case saw a High Court judge ruled that the decision to remove Harry’s constant taxpayer-funded police protection and instead review his security needs on a case-by-case basis was lawful and moved to dismiss his case.
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According to a Freedom of Information request by the Daily Telegraph, the legal fees for the case were made up of more than £180,000 for barristers, £320,000 for the Government’s legal department, which provides legal advice, and £3,200 in court fees. It also says close to £10,000 was spent on the disclosure of electronic documents linked to the case.
Harry claimed a decision to cut his security had left the safety of his family in jeopardy in the UK. It was argued by his lawyer that he had been “singled out: and treated less favourably in comparison to other VIPS.
High Court judge Sir Peter Lane issued the ruling last month with the Home Office saying they were “pleased” with the outcome. Harry’s barrister Shaheed Fatima KC, meanwhile, told the High Court: “The claimant’s consistent position has been, and remains, that he should be given state security in light of the threats/risks he faces.”
Following the court ruling, a security expert broke down for the Mirror the cost of Harry’s security. The experienced security experts from Titan Security Group explained that a VIP like Harry needs four Close Protection Personnel and two to three bulletproof SUVs or cars to protect him. The security detail would plan his routes and analyse threats before any appearances in public. They would also determine alternative routes and then provide security at events at a cost of up to £10,000 a day.
The expert said: “All personnel involved would be ex-military working closely with Scotland Yard and other security agencies. Typical costs would be £120 per hour for CP personnel and £1200 per day for SUV hire (plus VAT). So, we are looking at a total cost of four CPs for a 12 hour shift – £6912/day and two SUVs at £2880, with the total being £9792 per day.”
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