The Duke of Sussex has expressed a desire to reconcile with the Royal Family following a legal defeat over his UK security arrangements, which he described as a "devastating blow".
In an interview with BBC News from California, Prince Harry said he no longer wanted conflict and reiterated his love for the United Kingdom, but voiced deep concerns about his family's safety.
"I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point continuing to fight anymore — life is precious," he said, adding that ongoing security concerns have made it impossible for him to safely bring his wife and children back to Britain.
The comments came shortly after the Court of Appeal rejected the prince's legal challenge against the UK Home Office, upholding a decision made in 2020 to strip him of automatic police protection following his departure from royal duties.
"I’m devastated — not so much with the loss as with the people behind the decision," said the prince. "Is it a win for them? For those who wish me harm, maybe."
Buckingham Palace, in a brief statement, said: “All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.”
Long-standing dispute
The court case centred on the workings of the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) committee, which manages the security of senior royals. Prince Harry alleged that his case was not properly reviewed by Ravec's Risk Management Board and described the process as lacking transparency.
Senior judges acknowledged that the committee deviated from its stated procedures but deemed it “sensible” due to the unique nature of the prince’s circumstances. The judgment also found that while Prince Harry had presented “powerful” arguments regarding threats to his safety, they did not amount to a viable legal case.
Notably, the prince said he was shocked to learn that a representative from the Royal Household had a seat on the Ravec committee. "My jaw hit the floor," he remarked, suggesting that this presence influenced the committee’s decision-making.
Harry has now called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to initiate an urgent review of the Ravec process. He said he would formally write to Cooper to request reforms.
“Unfair and Risky”
The Duke said the 2020 decision had left him and his family exposed, stating: “Everybody knew that they were putting us at risk in 2020. They hoped that knowing the risk would make us come back. But when that didn’t work, why wouldn’t you just want to keep us safe?”
Harry explained that the downgrade in his security status not only affected him, but also endangered his wife and young children. He added that the ruling had confirmed that “there was no way to win this through the courts”.
No further legal action
Despite his disappointment, Prince Harry stated that he would not pursue further legal challenges, suggesting that the matter was no longer worth fighting in the judicial system. “I wish someone had told me that beforehand,” he said.
He also clarified that he had not asked the King to intervene directly, but had requested that he allow independent security experts to handle the matter without royal influence.
The interview marked a rare public insight into the prince’s ongoing estrangement from the Royal Family. Speaking candidly, he said the security dispute had become a major wedge, noting that the King "won’t speak to me because of this security stuff."
Yet, he voiced hope for reconciliation: “There have been many disagreements with some of my family, but I’ve forgiven them.”
He lamented the fact that he cannot safely bring his children to visit the UK. “I love my country, I always have done… It’s sad I can’t show my children my homeland.”
The latest remarks add another chapter to Prince Harry’s ongoing public and legal battles since stepping down as a senior royal in 2020 and relocating to the United States. While the court may have ruled against him, the prince made it clear that, for him, the issue remains far from settled — both in terms of personal safety and family relations.
