Duke faces fresh criticism as experts say blame game worsens his case
Prince Harry’s ongoing battle for UK security has taken a discouraging turn, as his attempt to shift responsibility toward King Charles appears to have backfired—just as a key court verdict nears.
During his two-day appeal hearing against the Home Office, the Duke of Sussex appeared visibly downcast, with insiders suggesting he fears yet another ruling against him. His legal counsel, Shaheed Fatima KC, argued that Harry’s “life is at stake,” citing serious threats to his safety.
However, royal commentator Ingrid Seward believes Harry’s current situation is the result of his own misjudgments—particularly his controversial decision to reveal his 'kill count' during military service in his memoir Spare.
“He potentially wrote his own death warrant,” Seward wrote in The Sun, pointing to outrage within the military, including criticism from Colonel Tim Collins who condemned the remarks: “We don’t do notches on the rifle butt, we never did.”
Seward added, “By revealing what he did, he put not only himself but others in danger. Much of Harry’s fight over personal security stems from this error in judgment.”
In recent interviews, Harry strongly implied that only his father, King Charles, could resolve the issue—despite the monarch having no control over decisions made by government security agencies. The Duke claimed, “People would be shocked by what’s being held back,” and called the legal disclosures “really sad.”
But experts say his approach is misguided. “It’s not the fault of King Charles, his father, who he blames for not stepping in and using his influence,” Seward wrote. “Once again, Harry fails to understand that the King cannot get involved in what is a governmental matter.”
The verdict in the case remains pending, but Harry’s strategy—along with the deepening family rift—has drawn growing criticism and may have weakened his position in both the court of law and public opinion.
