Prince Harry Reportedly Receiving Threats to His Life — Details Revealed

Prince Harry has returned to court, challenging the UK government’s decision to downgrade his security after confirmed threats to his life reportedly emerged from a known terrorist organization.

Court documents have revealed that Prince Harry requested specific security protections following a threat made against him by the terrorist group al-Qaeda. According to the filings, the terror group allegedly published a document that called for the Duke of Sussex “to be murdered,” stating that his “assassination would please the Muslim community.”

These threats were highlighted in legal proceedings related to Prince Harry’s ongoing battle over the level of police protection afforded to him while in Britain. Harry, who gave up his working royal status in 2020 and moved abroad with his wife, Meghan, has been fighting to regain automatic police protection for his visits to the United Kingdom.

His legal team argued that the current system in place, where each trip requires special notice and is assessed individually, puts him and his family at risk. The matter was heard in April 2025 during a two-day session at the Court of Appeal in London. Harry appeared in person at the Royal Courts of Justice.

His lawyer, Shaheed Fatima KC, told the panel of judges, “There is a person sitting behind me whose safety, whose security and whose life is at stake.” She stressed that the Duke’s appearance in court reflected how important the issue is to him and his family. A portion of the hearing was conducted in private due to the sensitivity of the information discussed.

Judges later approved a written summary of what was heard in closed session. The summary included Harry’s argument that the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), the body in charge of security decisions, had not followed its usual procedures when his protection was downgraded.

Instead of applying standard policy, Ravec implemented a “bespoke” process not used for others in similar situations. Before stepping down from royal duties, Harry had undergone a risk assessment in April 2019. The results supported keeping his police protection at the same level it had always been. But once he moved abroad, the system changed.

Ravec began requiring him to give 30 days’ notice before each visit, and protection was granted on a case-by-case basis. Harry told the court this replacement system is “inadequate, inappropriate, and ineffective.” During proceedings, Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Home Office, stated that Harry’s departure from royal life had created a situation unlike any other.

He explained that existing guidelines were not rigid and had to be adapted to the Duke’s circumstances. While acknowledging that Harry “disagrees vehemently” with the outcome, Sir James said this disagreement “did not amount to a ground of appeal.” He further argued that the decision had been reviewed carefully and supported unanimously.

Specific threats, such as the one from al-Qaeda, had been considered, and the Home Office determined that the most effective approach was to assess risk on an as-needed basis. Sir James also defended Ravec’s handling of the case, highlighting the involvement of Sir Richard Mottram, the former chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee and a key figure in Ravec for ten years.

In court, Harry appeared engaged throughout the hearing, occasionally taking notes. At one moment, he reacted visibly after hearing that standard cases would normally receive a risk assessment, but his did not. He threw down his pen and raised a hand, reportedly in disbelief.

Outside the courtroom, one member of the public shouted that the media was to blame for Harry no longer living in England. Court staff promptly removed the individual. Harry has previously told The Telegraph that he believes his security was removed as part of an effort to discourage him and Meghan from leaving the Royal Family.

He maintains that the protection offered before 2020, provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, cannot be replaced by private firms. This case follows a previous legal defeat in February 2024, when the High Court ruled that Ravec’s decision was lawful and fair. However, in June 2024, the Court of Appeal permitted Harry to challenge that ruling.

The court had concluded there was a “real prospect of success” in his claim that standard procedures had not been followed. Harry’s legal team asked the court last year to speed up the process due to safety concerns, including the al-Qaeda threat. That request was denied.

A final decision is expected after Easter, following the judges’ review of all arguments presented. As we had previously reported, the Duke of Sussex’s confident stride into a London courthouse sparked sharp observations from a body language expert, who hinted there was more behind his demeanor than met the eye.

On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Prince Harry notably appeared at a London court to continue his legal battle over the downgrade of his U.K. security.

The Duke is appealing a previous High Court ruling that upheld the government’s decision to assess his security needs on a case-by-case basis during visits to the United Kingdom.

Body language expert Judi James examined Prince Harry’s demeanor as he arrived at court. Speaking exclusively to Express, she stated, “With his brisk, swaggering walk and his jacket unbuttoned it would be reasonable to describe Harry’s chosen projected body language mood here as ‘cocky.'”

Judi further observed that “his chest is puffed and he throws some brusque, celebrity waves to either press or maybe fans waiting to watch him, creating the suggestion that he sees himself as rather heroic and even popular for his current UK court appearance.”

While this behavior may suggest confidence, Judi noted signs that could point to inner unease. “There is one cue or ‘tell’ though that suggests he might not be feeling quite as brave as he seems to want to make out and that is the frequent touch on the tie or stomach here that creates an excuse for a self-protective barrier gesture,” she said.

Judi added, “As a ritual it is similar to his father’s trait of playing with a cuff or watch strap to enable him to lift one arm up in front of his torso.”

According to BBC News, Prince Harry arrived at the court shortly after 9:30 a.m. BST. He entered with a small security team supported by court officers and was seen waving to cameras before using a private entrance.

Reporters called out questions and wanted to know if he planned to meet with his father, King Charles, but the Duke did not respond.

Inside the courtroom, Harry sat in the center during the proceedings. His legal team argued that he had been “singled out” for unequal treatment.

She claimed the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) failed to follow its procedures by not consulting security experts before altering his taxpayer-funded protection.

The case centers on a government decision that modified the Duke’s security arrangements in the U.K. Harry contends that this change places him and his family at risk.

He has previously stressed the need for safety, especially for his children, and expressed his desire for them to feel secure when visiting the country.

In earlier proceedings, the High Court ruled that Ravec’s actions were not unlawful. However, the government’s legal team pushed back on the written submissions presented during this appeal.

They argued the prince’s case is based on “small parts of the evidence” and reflects “a continued failure to see the wood for the trees.”

Prince Harry’s court appearance, marked by visible confidence and subtle gestures of tension, comes as he pursues legal action to restore a consistent security detail in the U.K.

While his legal team challenges the fairness of the decision-making process, the government continues to defend its position. The outcome remains pending as proceedings unfold.

Harry’s court appearance in London came as other members of the Royal Family focused on international duties.

On April 7, King Charles III and Queen Camilla began a four-day state visit to Italy to celebrate and strengthen the ties between the United Kingdom and Italy.

During their state visit, the royal couple made appearances in Rome and the city of Ravenna, using the soft power of monarchy to reinforce diplomatic ties and cultural connections between the two nations.

While the trip was initially set to include a formal state visit to the Holy See, that portion of the itinerary has been canceled. Pope Francis is currently recovering after being released from the hospital, where he received treatment for double pneumonia.

With the Vatican events withdrawn from the schedule, the royal delegation has shifted its focus to other parts of the Italian capital.

To accommodate the changes, the remaining engagements in Rome have been reorganized and extended across two days, with extra elements added to some appearances.

Charles and Camilla have taken to Instagram to share moments from their trip so far, including endearing photos of the two of them surrounded by picturesque florals and architecture. They also shared a video showing their visit to see President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale.

Accompanying the vibrant photos showing Charles and his beloved is a caption that reads, “As we begin our first visit to Italy as King and Queen, we are so looking forward to celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary in such a special place – and with such wonderful people! A presto, Roma e Ravenna! -Charles R & Camilla R.”

The royal couple’s trip to Italy precedes Harry’s arrival in the U.K., where he appeared in a London courtroom on April 8.

He formally contested a decision made by the British government to reduce the level of publicly funded security provided to him during visits to the United Kingdom. According to BBC, each time the Duke of Sussex travels to England, his security needs are assessed individually to determine just how much protection he will need while in the U.K.

Although Prince Harry, reportedly, has expressed his willingness to pay for police protection, the committee in charge of deciding the kind of security royals receive says that that is not allowed. As put by BBC reporter Charlotte Gallagher, “The funds either come centrally, or not at all.”

Additionally, his recent appeal is the latest move in a string of stages of a case that has been ongoing for approximately more than three years.

A judicial review application was filed back in September 2021, and since then, Harry has been free to challenge the Home Office, which turned out to ultimately be unsuccessful.

He then tried to appeal the judge’s ruling, which failed. However, in May 2024, he was finally granted permission to state his case in the Court of Appeal, which brings us to where things stand today.