Royal Family LIVE: Prince Harry claims he was ‘singled out’ for ‘inferior treatment’ when his security was downgraded

By Rebecca English, Royal Editor in Rome

The royal couple watched from the Terrace with the President and his daughter Laura, as nine British and seven Italian jets trailed the distinctive red, white and blue colours of the UK and the red, white and green of Italy.

“We are very lucky to have him,” the King said of Mr Lambertini, the Italian ambassador to the UK whom he has met previously.

The King and the President then posed for a photograph in front of the flags of both countries before a private meeting with the Queen and Laura in the President’s study, known as the Sala dei Colloqui.

Speaking through an interpreter, Charles told his host: ‘This is my 18th visit here.

‘And I remember having you here at the Quirinale before on your visits to Rome,’ replied the President.

After around 20 minutes of private conversation, the President presented honours to the royal couple.

The King received the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit and presented the President with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

After Harry entered the courtroom at around 10.30am, his representative Shaheed Fatima KC has been taking submissions on behalf of the Prince.

She has argued that the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) decision in 2020 to downgrade the Duke’s level of security did not apply its own terms of reference on decision making. In particular, the fact that Ravec failed to consult a specialist body called the risk management board.

An assessment from the specialist board was described as a ‘crucial feature of the Ravec process’.

Fatima also argued that the Prince has been ‘singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment’ since Megxit.

She said: ‘The appellant (Harry) does not accept that “bespoke” means “better”. In fact, in his submission, it means that he has been singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment.

‘Not only does this bespoke process not involve the RMB, it also involves Ravec considering the reason why the appellant is attending a particular event, even though that is plainly irrelevant to the question of security.”

Ms Fatima added: ‘The appellant’s case is not that he should automatically be entitled to the same protection as he was previously given when he was a working member of the royal family.

‘The appellant’s case is that he should be considered under the terms of reference and subject to the same process as any other individual being considered for protective security by Ravec, unless there is a cogent reason to the contrary.’

The Duke has now enterred Court 73 of the Royal Courts of Justice in London with the hearing set to begin any moment.

The Prince smiled at journalists sitting behind him as he entered the room.

The judges hearing Harry’s appeal are Sir Geoffrey Vos, Lord Justice Bean and Lord Justice Edis.

Representing Prince Harry is Shaheed Fatima KC, with Sir James Eadie KC representing the government.

By Rebecca English, Royal Editor

The King and Queen were formally welcomed to Italy this morning with full pomp and ceremony – and a stunning city-wide flypast in Rome.

Their Majesties’ received a ceremonial welcome at the  Quirinale Palace from the President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Signor Sergio Mattarella.

He was accompanied by his daughter, Signora Laura Mattarella, who acts as the windowed president’s First Lady.

Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, were escorted by mounted Quirinale (Corazzieri) Guards as they arrived for the first major event of their historic four-day state visit, their first as King and Queen.

The British and Italian National Anthems were played as the Union Jack flag was raised on the turret of the iconic palazzo.

President Mattarella, 83, then invited His Majesty to inspect the Guard of Honour in the courtyard, consisting of the Quirinale Band, Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri and mounted Corazzieri Guards.

As he entered the court, a reporter shouted to the Prince: ‘Did you speak to your dad?’

Harry, however, ignored the question.

Speculation had arisen about whether the pair had met after Harry flew into the UK on Sunday just moments before King Charles III jetted off to Italy.

It remains uncertain whether Harry and Charles spoke.

The Duke of Sussex arrived at court at around 9.30am donning a smart suit and tie in his first appearance in the UK in over six months.

He offered a brief wave to the press after leaving his car.

After Harry’s arrival, a hearing regarding his security arrangements will begin any minute now.

The Duke is set to sit in front of three judges to discuss whether he is entitled security.

Until he stepped back from royal duties, which is when they were relinquished, Harry had enjoyed free security for he and his children.

Since the protection was removed, however, Harry has argued his private protection team in the US does not have access to UK intelligence information which is needed to keep his wife and children safe.

He therefore wants access to his previous level of security – but wants to fund it himself.

A judge had previously ruled in a 2022 hearing that Harry’s security status was not ‘unlawful’. Today, Harry will appeal that decision afer being granted permission to do so in June 2024.

The two-day hearing will begin imminently.

The Duke of Sussex has in the last few minutes arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Harry is in attendance for an appeal against a High Court ruling on whether he is entitled to armed bodyguards paid for by the taxpayer.

A judge had previously taken away the privilege when the Prince relinquished his duties as a ‘full-time working member of the Royal Family’.

Buckingham Palace have released new images of King Charles and Queen Camilla to mark the pair’s 20th wedding anniversary.

The snaps were taken just hours aftér the royals landed in Italy ahead of a four-day visit.

Charles and Camilla are expected to receive a ceremonial welcome this morning in Rome at the Quirinale Palace.

Meghan Markle joined her friend, Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, for the first episode of Confessions Of A Female Founder this morning.

During the show, the pair discussed a range of topics including their ‘scary’ experience of motherhood.

‘We both had very similar experiences — though we didn’t know each other at the time — with postpartum, and we both had preeclampsia. Postpartum preeclampsia,’ the Duchess said.

‘It’s so rare and so scary. And you’re still trying to juggle all of these things, and the world doesn’t know what’s happening quietly.

‘And in the quiet, you’re still trying to show up for people – mostly for your children — but those things are huge medical scares.’

Her friend added: ‘I mean life or death, truly.’

In a post on Instagram this morning alongisde the release of her new podcast, Meghan Markle shared photos of her as a child.

The four photos (seen below) were captioned: ‘Being an entrepreneur can sart young. (By the way, all these years later and I’m still selling cookies!)

‘Tune in for the premiere episode of ‘Confessions of a Female Founder’ featuring my dear friend, @whitney, now streaming wherever you get your podcasts! @lemonadamedia.’

The Duchess of Sussex has in the last 15 minutes released the first episode of her much anticipated new podcast, Confessions Of A Female Founder.

The series is the latest in the Duchess of Sussex’s flurry of output after her much-criticised Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan and her new brand As Ever.

Accompanying the release this morning, Meghan too posted a series of throwback photos of herself as a child on Instagram.

Read our breaking story below!

The Duke of Sussex has flown to London for an appeal against a High Court ruling on whether he is entitled to armed bodyguards paid for by the taxpayer.

Such a privilege had been taken away from the Prince after he stopped being a ‘full-time working member of the royal family’ in 2020.

In a judgment in February last year, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected the duke’s case and concluded Ravec’s approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair.

The appeal is expected to begin around midday today and continue into tomorrow, April 9.

Good morning and welcome to MailOnline’s live royal coverage with the latest updates on King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Sussexes.

Today, Meghan Markle releases the first episode of her new podcast Confessions of a Female Founder in which she will reveal her secrets to setting up a business.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry is reportedly back in the UK as his legal challenge against the decision to strip him of automatic security when in Britain is heard at the Court of Appeal.

And King Charles and Queen Camilla begin their state visit of Italy after arriving in the country yesterday.

Stick with us throughout the day for all the latest royal news.