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Prince Harry’s legal battle with the Home Office over police protection in Britain has already cost UK taxpayers almost £300,000, it emerged last night.
The Duke of Sussex initiated a High Court Judicial Review 18 months ago after his right to guards was axed when he stepped back from royal duties. Although the prince offered to pay for police protection, he was told UK police forces were not ‘guns for hire’.
Figures obtained through the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that the court case – which has been ongoing since autumn 2021 – has already cost the UK Government £296,882 to defend.
John O’Connor, a former commander at Scotland Yard, told The Sun: ‘To expect protection provided by the state is arrogant and irrational. It is only vanity anyway. He only wants protection because he thinks his importance is downgraded without it.’
UK taxpayers have paid out almost £300,000 in the legal fight over Prince Harry’s right to armed security if he and his family visits for his father’s coronation (Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex)
Although an invitation to the Coronation has been extended to them, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle haven’t yet made clear whether they will attend the May 6 service
The Duke insists his family requires round-the-clock protection, even though royal security is automatically in place for formal events as well as at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
It is understood the case against the Home Office will be heard in April.
The court case has been ongoing since autumn 2021 and a Freedom of Information request showed it had cost the full sum of £296,882 to defend.
Observers do not know if the ruling will be decided before King Charles’ Coronation on May 6.
Although an invitation has been extended to them, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle haven’t yet made clear whether they will attend the May 6 service.
King Charles III is set to become the first monarch in British history to be publicly anointed with holy oil at his Coronation.
King Charles III may become the first monarch in British history to be publicly anointed
Both King Charles and the Queen Consort will be crowned during the Westminster Abbey ceremony in a break with royal tradition
It is believed that the Royal School of Needlework has started work on the new canopy, which is traditionally carried and held over the monarch by the Barons of the Cinque Ports or Knights of the Garter.
However, many hope that the King will choose to have the scholars of Christ’s Hospital, a boarding school which offers an education to children of a less privileged background, to carry the canopy during his ceremony.
Earlier this month, some plans for the three-day extravaganza to celebrate the crowning of the new monarch were revealed. And they are set to champion refugees, diversity and volunteering.
The dazzling celebrations are said to reflect Charles’ desire to be the ‘people’s King’ and will also give representatives from the Commonwealth and NHS workers a chance to shine, before members of the public are encouraged to spend time volunteering on the nation’s extra Bank Holiday.
The celebration will give millions of Brits a day off, with tens of thousands expected to line the streets in central London to watch the ceremony – the first of its kind in more than 70 years.
The coronation is scheduled to take place on May 6, followed by a huge concert at Windsor Castle the day after which will focus on showcasing Charles’ vision for the Commonwealth.
King Charles, pictured during the Queen’s Platinum Party, is said to want a party that celebrates the nation’s diverse nature
There are plans to light up buildings across the nation in patriotic colours to celebrate the event
Windsor Castle will host a major concert to celebrate King Charles’ coronation
The historic celebrations are set to be a world away from Queen Elizabeth II’s ceremony, with millions of people tuning in live all around the world.
While Buckingham Palace is yet to confirm what the 74-year-old monarch will wear, it is believed that he will opt for military uniform instead of standard royal dress.
He will reportedly not wear silk stockings and breeches as they ‘look too dated’ and he wants the ceremony to reflect a ‘modern 21st-Century monarchy’.
The King was said to be ‘happy’ to wear the same garments as his grandfather and great-grandfather, however senior aides said ‘he should not wear them’.
The monarch is allegedly expected to arrive in the uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet, which he wore during the State Opening of Parliament last year.
He will also wear St Edward’s Crown, which was made in 1661 for the coronation of King Charles II. It is made of solid gold and features more than 400 gemstones, including six sapphires and 12 rubies. It weighs nearly 5lbs (2.23kg).
The celebrations begin on May 6 with The King’s Procession, where the King and Queen Consort will 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, with senior royals expected to take part, just as they did in September before the late Queen’s funeral.
It will begin from Buckingham Palace and head down the Mall before arriving at Westminster Abbey.
As well as thousands upon thousands of cheering fans, the path will be lined by members of the armed forces including sailors, soldiers and airmen and women.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to take part in the procession, possibly with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, along with their children Archie and Lilibet, may also feature.
The Earl of Wessex and Princess Royal are expected to take part as Prince Charles’ siblings. It is thought Prince Andrew may also play a role – although it is unknown whether he will be able to wear military uniform, as he and Harry are no longer working royals.
The monarch is allegedly expected to arrive in the uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet, which he wore during the State Opening of Parliament (above) last year
Just as in Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, King Charles III will take part in a lengthy procession after being crowned King
The Princess Royal (pictured with the King) is expected to take part as Prince Charles’ sibling
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to take part in the procession, possibly with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
Sources have said that Prince Harry will not be making a public appearance on the balcony if he and wife Meghan attend the coronation in May
In a break with tradition, Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned alongside her husband by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The ceremony inside the Abbey is expected to last 90 minutes to two hours, significantly shorter than Queen Elizabeth II’s ceremony, which took three hours.
Around 2,000 guests are expected to attend the ceremony, which has been described as ‘solemn’.
On May 7 a huge concert will take place at Windsor Palace, and The Big Lunch charity will encourage street parties and picnics around the country.
British rock and pop icons will perform alongside a choir of refugees, NHS staff and LGBTQ+ singers in a strikingly diverse event at Windsor Castle the day after the coronation.
A dazzling display will shine on iconic national landmarks in a ‘centrepiece’ moment of the concert on May 7. The ‘Lighting Up The Nation’ display will feature ‘projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations’ beamed on to buildings across the UK.
Tens of thousands of Coronation Big Lunches and parties will be held in the UK and Commonwealth on Sunday and across the weekend. Big Lunches take place across the UK annually and last year they raised more than £22million for local charities.
There will also be the Big Help Out – a special bank holiday commissioned by the King in honour of the coronation, and celebrating volunteering groups.
Created by Britain’s best loved charities and organised by The Together Coalition, it will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation.
Hundreds of activities are planned for the day by local community groups, organisations and charities including The Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, National Trust and RNLI.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York are ‘unlikely’ to join the King and Queen Consort on the balcony during the Coronation.
As with the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last year, the line-up of royals alongside them will be restricted to working members of the family. That will exclude Prince Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew, who no longer carry out official duties.
Prince Andrew stepped down from his official role after allegations of sexual abuse in November 2019. He has always denied the accusations.
Harry and Meghan quit their roles three years ago when they left Britain to start a new life in California.
Earlier this month, Harry released a tell-all book revealing past and present grievances against his family. In a television interview to promote his memoirs, he refused to confirm whether he would attend the Coronation even if he was invited.
There is no indication from Buckingham Palace that Harry and Meghan would be barred from attending the event on May 6, which falls on the fourth birthday of their son Archie.
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