Prince Harry continues his legal battles, his ultimate goal reportedly remains clear: to ensure his children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – can safely experience life in their father’s home country.
Last week, Harry achieved a significant victory in his long-standing fight against media intrusion.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, secured both an apology and a “substantial” payout from News Group Newspapers (NGN) for the “serious intrusion” into his private life and that of his late mother, Princess Diana.
Prince Harry wins legal battle
“It’s just wonderful that Harry fought for – and gained – an apology to his mother,” his uncle Charles Spencer commented. “She would be incredibly touched at that and rightly proud.”
The settlement is a personal milestone for Harry. However, it is also a stepping stone to his overall mission – safeguarding his family and bridging the gap between his life in California and his ties to the UK.
He wants to ensure the safety of himself and his family while in the UK.
Harry previously lost a High Court challenge against the government over his security when in the UK. He was contesting a decision to downgrade his security status after he stepped back from royal life in 2020.
When he stepped back from being a working royal, Harry was no longer automatically provided with the same level of police protection given to the royal family.
Now, reports claim Harry could appeal the decision.
“The goal for Prince Harry is simple,” a close friend of Harry told HELLO!. “He wants to ensure the safety of himself and his family while in the UK so his children can know his home country and so he can help support his patronages and their important work.”
Prince Harry ‘fighting’ for safety of his wife and children in the UK
Harry’s children Archie and Lilibet have been brought up in California. Lilibet was born there, while Archie was born in the UK months before Harry and Meghan stepped back from duties.
Harry’s father King Charles, 76, has only met Lilibet once in person during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Therefore, the outcome of this case could determine whether Harry’s children will have the chance to grow up knowing their royal relatives and heritage.
Last week’s legal settlement with News Group Newspapers has reportedly boosted Harry’s morale ahead of the next phase of his fight.
“It’s not quite the end of the story for him,” added a source close to the duke. “But it’s a major chapter that’s been closed and dealt with. The next case is fundamentally important to him in terms of his family.”
Royal Insider has contacted reps for Harry for comment.
Harry and Meghan face backlash in Vanity Fair and for wildfires appearances
While Harry seemingly prepares for his upcoming legal fights, he and wife Meghan Markle have faced renewed scrutiny in the United States.
A high-profile Vanity Fair article criticised Harry and Meghan’s professional setbacks and suggested challenges in their personal and professional lives.
Meghan, in particular, has had to delay projects. These include her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, to focus on wildfire relief efforts in California. Instead of airing on January 15, it’ll now premiere on March 4.
This month, the couple was seen distributing food parcels and comforting evacuees in Pasadena. However, it was met with both praise and accusations of a PR stunt.
A source defended the Sussexes, saying: “They just want to help.”
Undeterred by criticism, Meghan later delivered lunch and beauty products to fire recovery teams in Altadena.
Meanwhile, Harry was seen meeting firefighters in Salinas, California. This came shortly before his court victory.
If Harry does appeal the decision on his security, would it pave the way for a renewed relationship with his family in the UK?
