Prince Harry security raised concern after woman sat behind him twice at High Court case, report says
Prince Harry’s security team alerted court staff after an unnamed woman described as “obsessed” with him twice sat directly behind him in the public gallery during his High Court appearance last week, according to a report. The incident was said to have happened while the Duke of Sussex attended proceedings in his privacy case, raising renewed focus on security arrangements at public hearings.
The woman was spotted by Prince Harry’s private protection team inside the courtroom, with The Sun reporting that a source said security could not intervene because it is a public building and they are not police. The report said she was just feet away from the Duke as the trial continued.
The former head of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Unit, Neil Basu, was quoted describing the situation as “incredibly anxiety-inducing”. The report also claimed the woman was understood to be on a list of people known to be obsessed with Prince Harry, and alleged she had previously followed him to Nigeria and gained access to a “secure zone” at a central London hotel during the WellChild Awards in September.
The courtroom episode came as Prince Harry continues legal action connected to his privacy claims, and follows wider attention on his appearances at the High Court, including moments when his attire drew notice during a recent day of proceedings.
The Duke has repeatedly argued that security considerations affect his visits to the UK, after changes to publicly funded protection following his decision to step back from royal duties. The latest report is likely to add to scrutiny over how courts manage access in high-profile cases where public galleries remain open.
