{"id":77575,"date":"2025-05-05T22:32:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T22:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/77575\/"},"modified":"2025-05-05T22:32:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T22:32:11","slug":"prince-harry-vs-king-charles-legal-battles-and-feud-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/77575\/","title":{"rendered":"Prince Harry vs King Charles: Legal Battles and Feud Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prince Harry\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> family woes have been years in the making.<\/p>\n

Since 2019, the Duke of Sussex has been locked in numerous legal battles after he first filed three lawsuits against Rupert Murdoch\u2019s News Group, the Mirror Group and Associated Newspapers over alleged phone hacking that occurred when he was a teen.<\/p>\n

In September 2020, he also filed a lawsuit challenging the royal committee\u2019s decision to strip the royal and his family of taxpayer-funded security after he and wife Meghan Markle<\/strong> <\/a>stepped back from senior royal duties in January of the same year. (Harry and Meghan share two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.)<\/p>\n

Though Harry has been successful in his phone hacking cases, he was dealt a legal blow in May 2025 when the High Court dismissed his security claim.<\/p>\n

Harry has also claimed his father, King Charles<\/strong><\/a>, could step in and help him and his family obtain security that would allow them to visit the U.K. any time he wants, putting the onus on his father and furthering the rifts between the two.<\/p>\n

In May 2025, following the dismissed security claim, Harry admitted that he would like to repair the strained relationship he has with his family. \u201cI would love reconciliation with my family. There\u2019s no point in continuing to fight anymore,\u201d Harry told BBC News<\/a> on May 2. \u201cLife is precious. I don\u2019t know how much longer my father has.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shortly after, King Charles issued a call for unity ahead of VE Day. The royal family members \u201care much looking forward to all the week\u2019s VE Day events,\u201d a Buckingham Palace rep shared on May 4. \u201cThey will unite with the rest of the nation and those across the Commonwealth and wider world in celebrating, commemorating and giving thanks to the wartime generation whose selfless devotion, duty and service should stand as an enduring example to us all \u2014 and must never be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the royal family continues to be fractured, here is a look at Harry\u2019s security fight, his legal challenges and his ongoing feud with his father, King Charles.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Prince
\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t
\n Related: Prince Harry’s Many Legal Cases Explained: Phone Hacking and More<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSince stepping down as a senior working royal in 2020, Prince Harry hasn\u2019t been shy about standing up for himself \u2014 and has attempted to do so through several lawsuits. Perhaps most famously, the Duke of Sussex has fought against the fact that he and his wife, Meghan Markle, lost state-funded police protection during United [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n

July 2016: Prince Harry meets Meghan Markle
\n\"Prince
\n Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Jeremy Selwyn – WPA Pool\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

The feud between Prince Harry and King Charles goes back at least to 2016, when Harry began dating Meghan Markle<\/a>, now the Duchess of Sussex. Harry confirmed his relationship with the actress in November 2016, while simultaneously speaking out against media coverage of Meghan \u2014 he likened the treatment she received from the press to what his mother, the late Princess Diana, also experienced. Harry and Meghan eventually married in May 2018<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In an interview with CBS<\/a> in March 2021, Harry said that racism was a big part of the reason why he and Meghan stepped back from royal life. \u201cOne of the people at that dinner said to me, \u2018Please don\u2019t do this with the media. They will destroy your life.\u2019 This person is friends with a lot of the editors,\u201d Harry shared. \u201cAnd I said, \u2018So just to elaborate, what do you mean by that<\/a>?\u2019 Obviously, I knew. He said, \u2018You need to understand that the U.K. is very bigoted,\u2019\u201d Harry explained. \u201cIf the source of information is inherently corrupt or racist or bias, then that filters out to the rest of society.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the Sunday, March 7, interview, Meghan, 39, spoke in length on the topic, revealing that when she was pregnant with Archie, now 22 months old, there were \u201cconcerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he\u2019s born\u201d within the palace.<\/p>\n

Harry also wrote about racism<\/a> within the family in his 2023 book Spare. \u201cMy Mother Country. Doing this? To her? To us? Really?\u201d he asked<\/a>, revealing that a HuffPost article calling his silence \u201cunforgivable\u201d prompted him to release a statement.<\/p>\n

2019: Harry files lawsuits against three newspapers<\/p>\n

Prince Harry filed lawsuits<\/a> against Murdoch\u2019s News Group, the Mirror Group and Associated Newspapers, alleging that the news groups resorted to hacking and deception to obtain stories about his teen years as well as about his romantic relationships.<\/p>\n

January 2020: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle \u201cstep back\u201d
\n\"Prince
\n Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Gareth Cattermole\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Things really kicked off after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from senior royal duties<\/a> in January 2020, nearly nine months after the birth of their son<\/a>, Prince Archie. The decision splintered the royal family, and Prince Harry and Meghan left the U.K. \u2014 first to Canada, where the government funded their protection until they ultimately relocated to Montecito, California<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex choosing to relocate to Canada on a part-time basis presented our government with a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances,\u201d a statement from Public Safety Canada to Us on February 27, 2020, read. \u201cThe RCMP has been engaged with officials in the U.K. from the very beginning regarding security considerations. As the duke and duchess are currently recognized as Internationally Protected Persons, Canada has an obligation to provide security assistance on an as-needed basis.\u201d<\/p>\n

A month later, a U.K. committee in charge of royal security determined Harry and his family would no longer receive the same degree of taxpayer-funded protection they were entitled to as full-time members of the family.<\/p>\n

September 2020: Prince Harry files a lawsuit over security decision<\/p>\n

Harry filed a lawsuit<\/a> in the U.K. following the committee\u2019s decision to strip him and his family of their security detail. Part of the issue appears to be that some members of the family who are not full-time royals still have state-funded security. \u201cHe remains willing to cover the cost of security, as not to impose on the British taxpayer. As is widely known, others who have left public office and have an inherent threat risk receive police protection at no cost to them,\u201d a note penned for Harry explained<\/a>. \u201cThe goal for Prince Harry has been simple \u2014 to ensure the safety of himself and his family while in the U.K. so his children can know his country.\u201d<\/p>\n

January 2022: Prince Harry files for judicial review
\n\"Prince
\n Prince Harry Neil Mockford\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

In January 2022, Harry applied for judicial review<\/a> of a previous decision that prevented him from personally paying for police protection for himself and his family when visiting the U.K.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life. He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats,\u201d a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex shared at the time. \u201cWhile his role within the Institution has changed, his profile as a member of the royal family has not. Nor has the threat to him and his family.\u201d<\/p>\n

September 2022: Queen Elizabeth II dies<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth II<\/strong> died<\/a> in September 2022, ushering in the reign of Harry\u2019s father, King Charles, who has long advocated for a stripped down version of the royal family. At this point Harry and Meghan had welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Queen\u2019s death was difficult<\/a> for the family to come to terms with. The Duke of Sussex, 37, is especially upset that he didn\u2019t arrive in Scotland<\/a> until after his grandmother had already died on September 8. \u201cHarry is guilt-stricken \u2014 full of sorrow and regret about not saying goodbye to the queen,\u201d an insider told Us. \u201cThey met up a couple of times during the Platinum Jubilee, but he by no means expected it to be the last time he saw her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harry also was not allowed<\/a> to wear his military uniform to the Queen\u2019s funeral, despite having served in the British military and being awarded three honorary military titles, Captain General Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief of Small Ships and Diving (those titles were stripped when he and Meghan Markle stepped down).<\/p>\n

\u201c[Prince Harry] will wear a morning suit throughout events honoring his grandmother. His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears and we respectfully ask that focus remain on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,\u201d a spokesperson noted at the time.<\/p>\n

June 6-7, 2023: Prince Harry takes the stand
\n\"Prince
\n Prince Harry Scott Dudelson\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Prince Harry returned to the U.K.<\/a> in June 2023 to testify in his phone hacking case against the Mirror Group, making him the first royal to take the stand in a legal matter in over 100 years. Harry\u2019s 55-page witness statement was released June 6. In the document, the prince blamed tabloid coverage about him for the demise of his relationship with ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy<\/strong>, whom he dated off and on from 2004 to 2011. \u201cUltimately, these factors led her to make the decision that a Royal life was not for her, which was incredibly upsetting for me at the time,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

December 2023: Prince Harry wins his lawsuit against the Mirror Group<\/p>\n

Prince Harry won his lawsuit<\/a> against the Mirror Group on December 15, 2023. \u201cThis case is not just about hacking. It is about a systemic practice of unlawful and appalling behavior, followed by clever-ups and destruction of evidence, the shocking scale of which can only be revealed through these proceedings,\u201d Harry said in a statement after the ruling, per People<\/a>. \u201cThe journey to justice can be a slow and painful one and since bringing my claim almost five years ago defamatory stories and intimidating tactics have been deployed against me and at my family\u2019s expense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy commitment to seeing this case through is based on my belief in our need \u2014 and collective right \u2014 to a free and honest press,\u201d he continued. \u201cAnd one which is properly accountable when necessary. That is what we need in Britain and across the globe. Anything else is poisoning the well for a profession we all depend on.\u201d<\/p>\n

February 2024: King Charles announces cancer diagnosis
\n\"King
\n King Charles Chris Jackson\/Getty Images for Buckingham Palace<\/p>\n

Buckingham Palace announced King Charles\u2019 cancer diagnosis<\/a> in February 2024. Prince Harry traveled to the U.K. shortly after the news went public to see his father, departing on February 8.<\/p>\n

Prince Harry commented on his father\u2019s diagnosis that month. \u201cI love my family,\u201d Harry, 39, said during a February 16 appearance on Good Morning America<\/a>. \u201cThe fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I\u2019m grateful for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

February 2024: The High Court dismisses Harry\u2019s security claim<\/p>\n

The first blow against Harry\u2019s security claim was levied on February 28, 2024, when the High Court issued a dismissal.<\/p>\n

June 2024: Harry files an appeal in security claim
\n\"Prince
\n Prince Harry Max Mumby\/Indigo\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Months later, Harry filed an appeal in the ongoing security claim.<\/p>\n

January 2025: Rupert Murdoch\u2019s News Group settles with Prince Harry<\/p>\n

Harry scored another legal victory<\/a> in January 2025, when Murdoch\u2019s News Group settled their lawsuit and issued a full apology for intruding in his private life. \u201cNGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun,\u201d News Group wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cNGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators instructed by them at the News of the World,\u201d the statement continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cNGN further apologizes to the Duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years. We acknowledge and apologize for the distress caused to the Duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages. The media organization also acknowledged, without any admission of illegality, that NGN\u2019s response to the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions were regrettable.<\/p>\n

\u201cNGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to Lord Watson for the unwarranted intrusion carried out into his private life during his time in Government by the News of the World during the period 2009- 2011,\u201d the statement read.\u201cThis includes him being placed under surveillance in 2009 by journalists at the News of the World and those instructed by them. NGN also acknowledges and apologizes for the adverse impact this had on Lord Watson\u2019s family and has agreed to pay him substantial damages.\u201d<\/p>\n

May 2025: Prince Harry loses security appeal<\/p>\n

Prince Harry lost his appeal to receive taxpayer-funded security on May 2. Buckingham Palace, which represents King Charles, issued a short statement on the ruling the same day. \u201cAll of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n

May 2025: Prince Harry claims King Charles has \u201cfull control\u201d over security decision
\n\"Prince
\n Prince Harry Scott Dudelson\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

In an interview with the BBC<\/a> in May 2025, Prince Harry said he hopes to patch things up with his family. \u201cI would love reconciliation with my family, there\u2019s no point in continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious, I don\u2019t know how much longer my father has, he won\u2019t speak to me because of this security stuff,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point. They\u2019re going to miss everything, I love my country, I always have done despite what some people in that country have done,\u201d Harry also said. \u201cI miss the U.K., of course I do. I think it\u2019s really quite sad that I won\u2019t be able to show my children my homeland.\u201d<\/p>\n

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However, Harry also said he believes his father could do more to solve the security problem. \u201cUltimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him,\u201d he said. \u201cNot necessarily by intervening, but my stepping side, allowing the experts to do what is necessary and to carry out an RNB.\u201d<\/p>\n

May 2025: King Charles releases statement on \u201cunity\u201d<\/p>\n

King Charles released a statement about \u201cunity\u201d following Harry\u2019s BBC interview.<\/p>\n

The royal family members \u201care much looking forward to all the week\u2019s VE Day events,\u201d a Buckingham Palace rep shared on May 4. \u201cThey will unite with the rest of the nation and those across the Commonwealth and wider world in celebrating, commemorating and giving thanks to the wartime generation whose selfless devotion, duty and service should stand as an enduring example to us all \u2014 and must never be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Prince Harry\u2019s family woes have been years in the making. Since 2019, the Duke of Sussex has been…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":77576,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7708],"tags":[7709,4082,7730,7731,1760,7710,519,14066],"class_list":{"0":"post-77575","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-royals","8":"tag-british-royal-family","9":"tag-celebrity-news","10":"tag-charles","11":"tag-charles-iii","12":"tag-king-charles","13":"tag-royal-families","14":"tag-royal-family","15":"tag-the-royals"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114457604530232406","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77575"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77575\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}