The Duke of Sussex has claimed he was a victim of a “stitch-up” after he lost a Court of Appeal challenge over his security arrangements while in the UK.
Prince Harry had tried to overturn changes to his security, which were introduced after he said he wanted to step back from being a senior royal and moved first to Canada and then California.
Following the unsuccessful appeal, the Duke said it is now “impossible” for him to bring his wife, Meghan Markle and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet back to the UK safely.
Prince Harry says he “cannot see a world” where he will bring Meghan Markle and his family back to the UK.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 2, 2025
“I cannot see a world in which I will be bringing my wife and children back to the UK.” pic.twitter.com/h0pwUT9UBz
In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC in California, Prince Harry said: “I can only come to the UK safely if I am invited, and there is a lot of control and ability in my father’s hands.
“Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him, not by intervening, but by stepping aside and allowing the experts to do what is necessary.”
At one stage, Harry said the King "won't speak to me because of this security stuff", but that he did not want to fight anymore and did "not know how much longer my father has".
He continued: “That said, this all was initiated under a previous government. There is now a new Government. I have had it described to me, once people knew about the facts, that this is a good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up, and that is what it feels like.”
After the decision on Friday, the 40-year-old also told the BBC he would ask Yvette Cooper to “look at this very, very carefully”, and warned that the royal family’s power over security means it “can be used to control” family members.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are pleased that the court has found in favour of the Government’s position in this case.
“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.”
Downing Street was contacted for comment.
