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Prince Harry could still jet to the UK for Prince Philip’s memorial amid his fight with the government over security, sources told Page Six.
The Duke of Sussex’s appearance at the memorial service for his beloved grandfather has been up in the air as he continues to battle the UK government over his bid to have security measures put in place for him and his family while in his homeland.
However, sources told us that next month’s event, to be attended by Harry’s grandmother, the Queen, his father, Prince Charles, and brother, Prince William — among other members of the royal family — will be covered by state security.
Precedent on such occasions shows that Harry would be covered by security, so sources said there is still a chance that he will fly over from California for the memorial.
One royal watcher said: “The memorial service has no impact on what Harry is arguing for.”
However, the odds of Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Archie, 2, and 8-month-old Lilibet, joining him at the event at Westminster Abbey on March 29 are believed to be slim. Markle has not been back to the UK since they quit their senior royal roles in March 2020.
The Queen — who is currently battling COVID — has yet to meet Lilibet, nicknamed Lili. Indeed, the only member of the family to meet the baby girl so far is Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie, who flew out to California to visit earlier this month.
Last week, Harry’s legal team stressed that he wants to visit his friends and family back home in the UK but “does not feel safe” without security — which he argued that he would pay for.
Harry’s lawyer told the High Court in London on Friday that he wants to bring his family to visit from the US, but they are “unable to return to his home” because it is “too dangerous.”
Barrister Shaheed Fatima QC said, “This claim is about the fact that the claimant does not feel safe when he is in the UK given the security arrangements that were applied to him in June 2021 and will continue to be applied to him if he returns,” per multiple reports.
“And, of course, it should go without saying that he wants to come back: to see family and friends and to continue to support the charities that are so close to his heart. Most of all, this is, and always will be, his home.”
Page Six has contacted the Home Office — the lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, fire, counter-terrorism and police in the UK — but they did not get back to us.
The Home Office plans to argue that that personal protective security for the prince is still considered on a “case-by-case basis” due to Harry’s “exceptional status.” The decision may vary depending on why the royal plans to visit Britain and the functions he will carry out while there.
It claims Harry has also “failed to appreciate the role of the Home Office and the Royal and VIP executive committee (RAVEC), a task force of civil servants and Scotland Yard officers, ‘as the expert, and democratically accountable, decision-maker’ on matters of protective security,” according to reports.
A judge is expected to make a ruling at a later time pending more details. Reps for the Sussexes were unavailable for comment.
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