Prince Harry Says ‘Worst Fears Have Been Confirmed’ After Safety Case (Unique)

Prince Harry is reeling from the aftermath of a authorized battle that has compelled him to confront the painful actuality he’s by no means absolutely escaped since leaving the U.Ok. in 2020 — a actuality that lies on the coronary heart of his ongoing rift with the royal household.

Feeling “exhausted and overwhelmed,” Harry instructed PEOPLE as he left court docket on April 9 that his “worst fears have been confirmed by the entire authorized disclosure on this case — and that’s actually unhappy.”

The Duke of Sussex, 40, spent two days at London’s Royal Courts of Justice, deeply centered, taking notes and intently following the proceedings of his enchantment concerning the removing of computerized state-backed safety for him and his spouse, Meghan Markle, in 2020.

When Harry and Meghan proposed to the late Queen Elizabeth that they reside overseas whereas nonetheless supporting the monarchy, they believed that they had discovered the best resolution to a tough chapter — one that will convey them happiness, depart the royal household at peace and permit their public work to proceed. “We have been making an attempt to create this blissful home,” Harry tells PEOPLE.

When Harry departed the Sandringham Summit in January 2020, he did so with the understanding that his safety would stay in place. Court docket paperwork revealed that, in letters from the Queen herself, she expressed assist for Harry and Meghan’s want for “efficient safety.” But, only one month later, the federal government committee answerable for state-funded safety, RAVEC, knowledgeable them that this might now not be the case.

Within the years since, Harry has immersed himself within the course of, together with studying about RAVEC, the physique answerable for the decision-making. Considered one of his core beliefs, PEOPLE understands, is that the removing of safety for him and his household after they stepped again from the working royal household was a deliberate tactic of management — a method to drive them again into the fold. Somewhat than bringing the Sussexes again, the removing of safety as a substitute revealed to Harry the lengths to which they have been keen to go, and it grew to become the ultimate straw. The prince admits that this realization “was tough to swallow.”

Harry’s relationship along with his household stays strained. Although they shared a quick, constructive assembly in February 2024 following King Charles’ most cancers analysis, communication between father and son has since damaged down. Insiders beforehand instructed PEOPLE that Charles now not solutions Harry’s calls or responds to his letters. Makes an attempt to reconnect along with his brother, Prince William, by calls, texts and messages have equally been ignored.

Through the two days of hearings, Harry’s authorized group argued that RAVEC had “diverted” from its normal process, leaving Harry “singled out for various, unjustified, and inferior remedy.” Additionally they contended that this determination excluded him from the identical protections prolonged to others within the “Different VIP Class,” together with pop stars and former prime ministers.

Crucially, RAVEC contains members of the Royal Family, together with shut aides to his father, King Charles. Harry believes his father might intervene to make sure that such safety is prolonged to him. (Buckingham Palace doesn’t touch upon safety issues, however a palace supply beforehand instructed PEOPLE that the suggestion Harry’s safety is below Charles’s management is “wholly incorrect.”)

A lot of the listening to on April 9 on the Royal Courts of Justice within the coronary heart of London was held in secret. A few of the revelations unearthed in the course of the proceedings have deeply unsettled Harry, confirming a lot of his “fears” in regards to the scenario — a realization he described as profoundly disheartening.

Harry has discovered a method to transfer on and forgive a lot of what’s occurred since 2016 — however there’s one factor he merely can not forgive: the occasions surrounding the authorized battle concerning his and his household’s security. “Folks could be shocked by what’s being held again,” Harry says.

The Duke of Sussex has fought a number of authorized battles, most not too long ago securing an apology and admission from the writer of The Solar newspaper for unlawful actions carried out on their behalf, leading to an eight-figure settlement in January 2025. However this specific struggle is one which strikes on the coronary heart of his household life and his future. “This one has at all times mattered essentially the most,” Harry instructed PEOPLE as he left court docket.

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The three enchantment court docket judges have reserved their judgment, with the consequence not anticipated for a number of weeks. Whatever the consequence, Harry has made it clear that he won’t cease preventing. His dedication to his causes stays unwavering, and on Thursday, April 10, he flew to Ukraine to go to a clinic supporting wounded army personnel and civilians.

Above all, Harry says he’s “pushed by exposing injustice,” a relentless pursuit that fuels all the things he does. He has lengthy stated he cannot merely let issues lie — he must “get below the bonnet and repair it.” His dedication is private: If something have been to occur to his spouse, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, or their two younger kids, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, he might by no means relaxation.