Prince Harry faces a £1million legal bill after suffering a crushing defeat in the High Court.
The Duke of Sussex lost his challenge against the Home Office over his right to automatic police protection in the UK.
Harry, 39, has had his case dismissed by a High Court judge in a 52-page scathing ruling.
Mr Justice Lane said the decision by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) had not been irrational or procedurally unfair.
Prince Harry faces massive legal costs
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He also rejected the duke’s “inappropriate, formalist interpretation” of the process.
The Duke of Sussex has since vowed to appeal the High Court's verdict, although, he will first have to seek permission.
His legal spokesman said he was “not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules, ensuring that he receives the same consideration as others”.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that by October 2023, the Government’s legal costs in the case had surpassed £400,000.
Prince Harry has said he is 'not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules'
Reuters
By December, the case had cost the Government legal department £265,437 and counsel £137,864.
It means the duke now has to pay back the taxpayer at least £500,000 after losing his challenge.
His own legal costs are likely to be similar, if not more, equalling roughly around £1million.
The cost to the public purse will likely raise questions about the advantages of a royal taking legal action against the Government.
Prince Harry has vowed to appeal the High Court's verdict
Reuters
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were no longer entitled to the 'same degree' of personal security when visiting Britain after February 2020
Reuters
Ravec declared in February 2020 that Harry and Meghan Markle were no longer entitled to the “same degree” of personal security when visiting Britain.
This decision came a month after the duke and duchess stepped down as working royals.
Harry applied for a judicial review, to which the committee created a “bespoke” approach that involved assessing each visit on its merits.
However, this has resulted in the duke being denied police protection on each subsequent return to the UK.