Prince Harry’s legal fight to have armed guards in U.K. costing thousands

Prince Harry’s fight to have armed security when he visits Britain has cost U.K. taxpayers nearly 300,000 pounds ($485,000).

The Duke of Sussex, 38, started a High Court Judicial Review 18 months ago after his right to guards was scrapped when he stepped back from royal duties in 2020 with his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, 41, for a new life in America.

Even though he offered to pay for protection, he was told U.K. police were not “guns for hire” and figures obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by Britain’s The Sun newspaper have revealed that the court case has already cost the U.K. Government 296,882 pounds to defend.

A source told the publication: “(Harry) claims not to want taxpayers to foot the bill for his guards – but they are being made to pay hundreds of thousands for his court case.”

The bill so far for the case, which has been rumbling along since autumn 2021, includes 199,978.52 pounds ($323,600) on legal department costs, 93,268 pounds ($150,900) on general counsel and 660 pounds ($1,068) for court fees.