Prince Harry’s legal battle with the British government kicked off in court on Tuesday, with the duke claiming that his right to taxpayer-funded security is of the utmost importance. 

Though Harry was not present in court, his attorney Shaheed Fatima said, “This case is about the right to safety and security of a person. There could not be a right of greater importance to any of us.”

The prince is appealing the Home Office’s decision to strip him of taxpayer-funded armed police protection when he is in the UK, something he has not had since he left Britain in 2020. Fatima argued in a written submission that “he should be given state security in the light of the threats/risks he faces.” 

The Home Office has rejected the claims, with its legal team arguing that public resources are “finite,” pointing out that Harry’s decision to live abroad and no longer work for the royal family meant that “his position has materially changed.”

Harry had automatic police security when he was still a full-time working royal, but was stripped of the privilege when he and Meghan Markle exited the royal family and left for the United States in 2020.

Prince Harry has argued that he was “singled out” for “inferior” treatment when his security was downgraded, and that while he pays for his own security in the US, it is not sufficient to keep him and his family safe when he is in the UK.

Harry has been locked in litigation with the British government for three years over his security arrangements. The hearing will conclude on Thursday. It is one of five legal battles being pursued by the duke in the High Court. He is also suing a number of newspapers over alleged unlawful news gathering.

The Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) made the decision that Harry should no longer be granted police protection while he is in the UK. The royal claims that he has been unfairly treated and was unaware at the time that the royal household was also involved in making the decision. The late queen’s private secretary Edward Young was sitting on the board of RAVEC when the decision was made, along with Peter Loughborough, Earl of Rosslyn, who is now Lord Steward to the Prince of Wales. 

Harry has had a turbulent relationship with Young, whom Harry described as “The Bee” in his memoir, Spare. He has said he had “significant tensions” with Young.

There have been reports that Harry and Meghan want to come back to the UK for Christmas. However, Harry has said that he does not feel safe bringing Archie and Lilibet to the UK without police protection. The duke has only returned to the UK for brief visits since exiting the royal family in 2020.