Prince Harry’s UK security court case against the Home Office has cost taxpayers over £500,000.
Last month, the Duke of Sussex suffered a defeat in his High Court battle against the Home Office where he was fighting to receive a different degree of protection when in the UK.
Figures released via the Freedom of Information request found that the total cost of two separate judicial review claims lodged by the prince totalled £514,128.
This cost to the British taxpayer is likely to raise concerns about Royal Family members taking legal action against the Government.
Prince Harry was fighting a Home Office decision about his police protection in the UK
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The ruling also left the duke facing an estimated legal bill of over £1million.
Figures reported by the Telegraph included more than £180,000 for counsel, £320,000 for the Government Legal Department, £2,300 in court fees and almost £10,000 in e-disclosure.
The court found that there had not been any unlawfulness in reaching the decision of February 28, 2020, and that any departure from policy was justified.
In 2020, a decision was made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that Harry should receive a different level of protection in the UK than when the prince was a working royal.
Harry launched legal action against the Home Office following a 2020 decision by RavecPAIn May 2023, the duke was denied the right to bring a second legal challenge where he offered to pay for his own protection in the UK.
Prince Harry argued that the withdrawal of guaranteed police protection makes him and his family vulnerable when visiting the UK.
The duke is required to give 30 days' notice of any travel plans to Britain so each visit can be assessed on its merits.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said in February: "We are pleased that the Court has found in favour of the Government’s position in this case, and we are carefully considering our next steps. It would be inappropriate to comment further.
Prince Harry's court cases have seen him return to the UK many timesPA"The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.
"It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security."
The prince has announced that he plans to appeal the ruling, likely running up more costs to the taxpayer.
It comes as the prince is named in US court documents relating to the rapper P Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs.
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The ruling left Prince Harry facing an estimated legal bill of over £1 million
GettyThe court documents which were filed in the US mention that guests were drawn to Combs’ alleged sex-trafficking parties because of his "access to celebrities and international dignitaries including Prince Harry."
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on Prince Harry’s part in these court documents, and the prince is only understood to have met Combs once and never attended any of his parties or concerts.
Rodney Jones, a record producer, is accusing Combs of a series of series of sexual assault allegations.
Combs’s lawyers have denied these claims, saying: "We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies."
