Prince Harry’s legal battle with the Home Office over police protection in the UK has already cost British taxpayers nearly £300,000, it emerged last night.
The Duke of Sussex launched a High Court judicial review 18 months ago after his right to guards was removed when he stepped down from royal duties. Although the prince offered to pay for police protection, he was told that British police forces were not “guns for hire”.
Figures obtained through the Freedom of Information Act have revealed the court case, which has been ongoing since autumn 2021, has already cost the UK government £296,882 in defence.
John O’Connor, a former Scotland Yard commander, told The Sun: “To expect protection from the state is arrogant and irrational. It’s just vanity anyway. He only wants protection because he feels his importance will be diminished without it.’
British taxpayers have paid nearly £300,000 in the legal battle over Prince Harry’s right to armed security when he and his family attend his father’s coronation (Image: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex)
Despite being given an invitation to the coronation, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have not yet made it clear whether they will attend the service on May 6th
The Duke insists his family needs round-the-clock protection, although royal security is automatically in place for formal events as well as at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
The case against the Home Office is expected to be heard in April.
The court case has been ongoing since autumn 2021 and a freedom of information request revealed the defense had cost the full sum of £296,882.
Observers don’t know if the verdict will come before King Charles’ coronation on May 6.
Although they have been extended an invitation, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have not yet made it clear whether they will attend the service on May 6th.
King Charles III is to become the first monarch in British history to be publicly anointed with holy oil at his coronation.
King Charles III could become the first monarch in British history to be publicly anointed
Both King Charles and Queen Consort will be crowned during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey in a break with royal tradition
The Royal School of Needlework is believed to have started work on the new canopy, which is traditionally worn and held over the monarch by the Barons of the Cinque Ports or Knights of the Garter.
However, many hope the king will choose to let the scholars at Christ’s Hospital, a boarding school that offers an education to children from less privileged backgrounds, carry the canopy during his ceremony.
Earlier this month, some plans for the three-day extravaganza to celebrate the new monarch’s coronation were revealed. And they champion refugees, diversity and volunteerism.
The glitzy celebrations are meant to reflect Charles’ desire to be the “People’s King” and will also give representatives of the Commonwealth and NHS staff a chance to shine, before encouraging the public to volunteer on the nation’s additional bank holidays engage .
The celebration will give millions of Britons a day off and tens of thousands are expected to line the streets of central London to see the ceremony – the first of its kind in more than 70 years.
The coronation is scheduled to take place on May 6th, followed by a grand concert at Windsor Castle the day after, which will focus on presenting Charles’ vision for the Commonwealth.
King Charles, pictured during the Queen’s Platinum Party, reportedly wants a party that celebrates the nation’s diversity
There are plans to light up buildings across the country in patriotic colors to celebrate the event
Windsor Castle will host a grand concert to celebrate the coronation of King Charles
The Coronation of King Charles III: A Timeline
May 6th
The King and Queen Consort will travel to Westminster Abbey for the coronation ceremony.
After the ceremony, they will take part in a second procession to Buckingham Palace before appearing on the balcony.
May 7th
Brits are encouraged to hold street parties and attend the Big Lunch.
A festive concert featuring an exclusive performance by the Coronation Choir is taking place at Windsor Castle.
8th of May
An additional holiday is planned for May 8th.
Members of the public are encouraged to volunteer for charitable causes through Big Help Out.
The historic celebrations will be miles away from Queen Elizabeth II’s ceremony as millions of people around the world will be there live.
While Buckingham Palace has yet to confirm what the 74-year-old monarch will wear, it is believed he will choose to wear a military uniform rather than the standard royal attire.
He will reportedly not be wearing silk stockings and trousers as they “look too dated” and he wants the ceremony to reflect a “modern 21st century monarchy”.
The king was said to have been “happy” to wear the same robes as his grandfather and great-grandfather, but senior aides said “he should not wear them”.
The monarch is said to arrive in the Admiral of the Fleet uniform, which he wore to the State Opening of Parliament last year.
He will also wear St Edward’s Crown, made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661. It is made of solid gold and features more than 400 gemstones, including six sapphires and 12 rubies. It weighs almost 2.23 kg.
Celebrations begin on May 6th with the King’s Procession, which sees the King and Queen Consort travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach.
The procession is likely to be one of the most pageant-like aspects of the weekend, which senior royals are expected to attend, just as they did in September ahead of the late Queen’s funeral.
It begins at Buckingham Palace and heads down the Mall before arriving at Westminster Abbey.
Alongside thousands and thousands of cheering fans, the path is lined with members of the armed forces, including sailors, soldiers and airmen.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to join the procession, possibly with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their children Archie and Lilibet may also be there.
The Earl of Wessex and Princess Royal are expected to attend as Prince Charles’ siblings. It’s thought Prince Andrew could also play a role – although it’s not known if he’ll be able to wear military uniforms as he and Harry are no longer royals.
The monarch is said to be appearing in the Admiral of the Fleet uniform, which he wore to the State Opening of Parliament last year (above).
As with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III. take part in a long procession after being crowned king
The Princess Royal (pictured with the King) is expected to attend as Prince Charles’ siblings
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to join the procession, possibly with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
Sources have said Prince Harry will not appear publicly on the balcony when he and his wife Meghan attend the coronation in May
What will the coronation of King Charles III be like? in 2023 from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953?
It’s been 70 years since Britain was last crowned – and the world has gone almost unrecognizable in that time.
Eager to emphasize consistency between ceremonies, the palace insisted there will be plenty of pomp and pageantry to match that of 1953.
But the king has been keen to modernize where necessary and to remind the world that he is a “king of the people” who celebrates diversity.
So what will be different this time?
- Only 2,000 people are allowed inside Westminster Abbey, down from 8,000 in 1953
- The ceremony will remain formal but will be shortened from three hours to 90 minutes
- King Charles is expected to wear a military uniform rather than traditional trousers and stockings
- Unlike the Duke of Edinburgh in 1953, the Queen Consort will be crowned alongside the King at the ceremony in Westminster Abbey
- The celebrations use modern technology to stream performances around the world
- The day after the ceremony there will be a big concert with pop legends and refugee choirs
- The coronation will not only be broadcast on TV, but also on phones, tablets and computers around the world
- A pared-down guest list means only top cabinet ministers, privy councillors, and opposition leaders are invited
In a break with tradition, Queen Consort Camilla is crowned with her husband by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The ceremony at the Abbey is expected to last 90 minutes to two hours, significantly shorter than Queen Elizabeth II’s ceremony, which lasted three hours.
Around 2,000 guests are expected to attend the ceremony, which is described as “celebratory”.
There will be a major concert at Windsor Palace on May 7th and charity The Big Lunch will encourage street parties and picnics across the country.
British rock and pop icons will perform alongside a choir of refugees, NHS workers and LGBTQ+ singers in a strikingly diverse event at Windsor Castle the day after the coronation.
In a “centerpiece” moment of the May 7th concert, a dazzling display will shine atop iconic national landmarks. The “Lighting Up The Nation” display will feature “projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations” beamed onto buildings across the UK.
Tens of thousands of Coronation Big Lunches and parties take place across the UK and Commonwealth on Sunday and weekends. Big Lunches are held annually across the UK and last year they raised over £22million for local charities.
There will also be the Big Help Out – a special bank holiday commissioned by the King to honor the coronation, and volunteer groups celebrating.
Launched by the UK’s favorite charities and organized by The Together Coalition, it will highlight the positive impact of volunteering on communities across the country.
Hundreds of activities are planned for the day by local community groups, organizations and charities including The Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, National Trust and RNLI.
It is “unlikely” that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York will join the King and Queen on the balcony during the coronation.
As with the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last year, the royals’ lineup alongside them will be limited to working family members. This does not apply to Prince Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew, who no longer perform any official duties.
Prince Andrew stepped down from his official role following allegations of sexual abuse in November 2019. He has always denied the allegations.
Harry and Meghan gave up their roles three years ago when they left the UK to start a new life in California.
Earlier this month, Harry released a tell-all book that reveals past and present grievances against his family. In a television interview to promote his memoir, he refused to confirm if he would attend the coronation even if invited.
There is no indication from Buckingham Palace that Harry and Meghan would be banned from attending the event on May 6, which falls on their son Archie’s fourth birthday.