Virgin Radio presenter Chris Evans addressed the ruling made against Prince Harry and suggested whether the royal should fund his own security.
The royal lost a legal battle over the downgrading of his security in Britain, as a judge ruled on Wednesday that the government was entitled to change the level of police protection for a royal family member no longer carrying out official duties.
The Duke of Sussex had taken the Home Office to court after it cut spending on his personal security, with the 39-year-old claiming the decision, made in 2020, could put him at risk.
He could now be facing an estimated legal bill of around £1m after losing the High Court challenge against the government over taxpayer-funded security while he is in the UK.
Speaking on his radio programme on Thursday, Chris weighed in on the row and was joined by his co-stars Rachel Horne and Vassos Alexander.
Reading out the newspaper headlines Chris mused: “‘Harry faces £1m legal bill after defeat over security row.’
“This is about him having close protection when he comes over here provided basically by the UK taxpayer.
“However, he still does get close protection. When he came over to see his dad he received close protection but he wants a different level.”
Rachel interjected: “He is treated now like any other high profile visiting dignitary on a case-by-case basis when he arrives in the country as opposed to just always having his protection just assumed.”
Chris went on: “He spent a million pounds of his own money. I think he has to pay the other side’s cost as well because he lost.
“But A, how much would that extra security would have bought him anyway. And B, what is the difference between the level of security he is getting now and the level of security he wants?
“Or is it just a principle thing?”
His colleague went on to suggest Harry being born into the royal family could potentially mean the duke may feel entitled to the same royal privileges as his brother, Prince William and father King Charles.
“It’s a principle thing,” Rachel replied. “It’s the fact he was born into the royal family and so this is not a position he chose and so he feels entitled to the same level of protection as other working royals.”
Chris then attempted to shut down the conversation about royals as he concluded, “Alright we’re getting too serious. My fault.”
Harry took legal action against the Home Office after being told he would no longer be given the “same degree” of publicly-funded protection when in the country.
