Prince Harry launches legal action against UK claiming it’s ‘unsafe’ for his family to return without police bodyguards

By Sarah Grealish

PRINCE Harry has launched legal action against the Government over the decision to take away his police bodyguards – claiming it’s unsafe for his family to return to the UK without them.

The Sussexes were stripped of their round-the-clock protection when they stepped back from royal duties two years ago

Now Harry wants to bring his son Archie and baby daughter Lilibet to visit from the US, but he and his family are “unable to return to his home” because it is too dangerous, a legal representative said.

A legal representative for the duke said: “Prince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life.

“He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats.

“While his role within the institution has changed, his profile as a member of the royal family has not. Nor has the threat to him and his family.

A police task force, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, handles a list of essential public figures and royals who have round-the-clock protection funded primarily by the state.

A source told The Mail on Sunday: “Harry’s argument in a nutshell is: ‘You got the law wrong.’

“He feels the decision to remove his security was wrong.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made no secret of their unhappiness at the removal of their security. The couple were living in Canada – guarded by publicly funded British UK and Canadian security – when ‘Megxit’ was announced in January 2020. (Above, Harry and Meghan in Manhattan in September 2021 after visiting the 9/11 memorial pools)

“Pre-action protocol was sent by Harry’s lawyers to the Home Office a couple of months ago. This is essentially a precursor to a judicial review.”

If the case proceeds, it will lead to a battle in the High Court between ministers and Prince Harry.

The Queen is understood to have been made aware of her grandson’s action, which is thought to be the first time a member of the Royal Family has brought a case against Her Majesty’s Government.

‘SECURITY COMPROMISED’

Harry’s legal representative continued: “The duke first offered to pay personally for UK police protection for himself and his family in January of 2020 at Sandringham. That offer was dismissed. He remains willing to cover the cost of security, as not to impose on the British taxpayer.

Suggesting why Harry may have chosen now – two years after ‘Megxit’ – to launch a legal bid, the source added: ‘When Harry came back last April for Prince Philip’s funeral [above], he was given security. But when he came in the summer, he wasn’t

“As is widely known, others who have left public office and have an inherent threat risk receive police protection at no cost to them.

“The goal for Prince Harry has been simple – to ensure the safety of himself and his family while in the UK so his children can know his home country.

“During his last visit to the UK in July 2021 – to unveil a statue in honour of his late mother – his security was compromised due to the absence of police protection, whilst leaving a charity event.

“After another attempt at negotiations was also rejected, he sought a judicial review in September 2021 to challenge the decision-making behind the security procedures, in the hopes that this could be re-evaluated for the obvious and necessary protection required.