Prince Harry 'Chose To Leave' Not 'Forced To Leave,' Netizens Claim

Prince Harry raised eyebrows for his latest statement in his ongoing security battle.

The Duke of Sussex argued that he was unlawfully stripped of his royal protection, and in his latest witness statement for a three-day trial, he told the High Court that he "felt forced" to leave his royal duties and the country in 2020.

However, many netizens argued with his statement. For them, leaving the royal family was a choice Prince Harry made.

"'Forced,' no Harry, you and your wife chose to leave because you couldn't have it your way. Your wife chose to leave because she didn't like being second to the Princess of Wales. Harry, you and Meghan really need to stop lying to the High Courts," Royal Tea With Britanny tweeted.

Many netizens shared the same sentiment.

"So H&M were 'forced' to leave? Yet the late Queen was gracious enough to give them a year to change their minds," another added. "Not to mention still being funded by Charles. They chose to leave because they couldn't get their own way. They weren't allowed to monetize their royal status and be half in half out, so they left. Of course, they are constantly trying to rewrite history."

"No, Harry, you weren't forced. You had a choice to stay as working royals or leave. You chose to leave," a third person wrote.

"Harry was told at the Summit he would lose his protection if he left. He chose to leave. So he can shut up and go away. Forever," another commenter stated.

Esther Krakue, British commentator and columnist based in London, recently joined Isabel Oakeshott, British political journalist and author; Ian Collins, British radio presenter and journalist; Emma Woolf, writer, critic, journalist and broadcaster; and JJ Anisiobi, broadcaster and journalist, for the Talk panel and discussed Prince Harry's security battle. During the discussion, Krakue mentioned her observation during Prince Harry's freedom flight, noting he didn't feel forced to do it.

"I'm at the point where I'm wondering whether Harry is entitled, ignorant, or just stupid, or like a toxic combination of the three because I don't understand how," Krakue opined.

"I don't know if you remember from the Netflix documentary that image of him 'This is the freedom flight' right. So, it didn't look like he was, you know, being forced out. It looked like he was actually very happy to leave," she added.

In Prince Harry's witness statement presented by his barrister, Shaheed Fatima KC, he argued that he chose to stop being "a full-time working member of the Royal family."

"It was with great sadness for the both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020," he wrote in the statement read by Fatima, The Telegraph reported.

"The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children, and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the United States. That cannot happen if it is not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil. I cannot put my wife in danger like that, and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm's way too."

The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) previously decided to change Prince Harry's security level since he was no longer a working royal. They opted to provide him protection on a "case by case" basis depending on the threat level, not 24/7. Thus, some felt that his court battle for security protection was unnecessary.

"This is all complete nonsense, actually, because he is getting protection," historian and broadcaster Rafe Heydel-Mankoo said. "If he comes to attend royal events, he will receive royal protection. They have bespoke protection plans for him, depending upon his needs."

Many royals received the same protection offered to Prince Harry, including Princess Anne and Prince Edward. They only get protection when they engage in their royal duties, per Express.

On the other hand, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton and their kids always receive full protection.