Trailblazing Lawyer Fights for Prince Harry’s Right to Security

In a legal showdown that has reignited debate over royal security and fairness, renowned human rights lawyer Shaheed Fatima KC is leading Prince Harry’s latest appeal against the UK Home Office. At the heart of the case is a controversial 2020 decision to withdraw the Duke of Sussex’s taxpayer-funded security after he stepped back from royal duties.

Fatima, 48, is no stranger to high-profile cases—or to making history herself. As the first hijab-wearing barrister to be appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King's Counsel), she has built a formidable career in human rights and public law. 

This week, her courtroom presence drew attention not just for her sharp legal arguments, but for the historic role she continues to play in Britain’s legal landscape.

Representing the Duke at London’s Royal Courts of Justice, Fatima argued that Harry was unfairly singled out and subjected to a “bespoke” and flawed security process after the so-called “Megxit.”

The prince, she told the court, has been exposed to serious threats, including from terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, which called for his assassination in statements Fatima described as "a threat to national safety."

Fatima highlighted procedural gaps, noting that the official body responsible for royal protection—Ravec—failed to follow its own rules. “No formal risk assessment was undertaken,” she said, criticizing the lack of documentation and transparency behind the decision to reduce the Duke’s protection.

The Home Office, however, has defended its actions, arguing that Harry’s circumstances do not warrant a return to publicly funded protection. A decision from the judges is expected in writing at a later date.

Born and educated in the UK, Fatima studied law at Glasgow University, Oxford, and later Harvard. Over the years, she has represented clients ranging from business tycoon Mike Ashley to the family of Baha Mousa, an Iraqi man killed while in British military custody. 

She has been repeatedly recognized for her work, including being named Human Rights Lawyer of the Year by Liberty and Justice, and receiving Theirworld’s #WriteTheWrong Award for defending children in conflict zones.

Despite her legal success, Fatima once considered a career in the arts. “Choosing between law school and art school was a difficult decision,” she once said in an interview.

But her path in law has proven influential and inspiring—especially for those from underrepresented communities. Known for her diligence, clarity, and legal insight, she is hailed by peers as “Supreme Court judge material.”

In court this week, her presence marked more than just a legal argument—it represented a powerful symbol of resilience, inclusion, and justice in Britain’s evolving legal system.