Prince Harry ‘set to miss Philip’s memorial’ royals fear as visit ‘would undermine claim he’s not safe without security’
PRINCE Harry is expected to miss Prince Philip's memorial as it would "undermine" his legal battle on police security, royals sources say.
A memorial for the Duke of Edinburgh, who died last April, will be held in the spring this year - although an exact date for the event is yet to be announced.
Meghan and Harry were reportedly expected to attend, but after the duke launched legal action against the UK Government over his lack of security, their presence is looking increasingly doubtful.
And now royal insiders believe turning up will "undermine" Harry's position within his legal battle - and contradict his claim that he's not safe without security.
A source close to the Royal Family told the: "They don't think it's likely he'll come back because it would undermine his position that it's too much of a threat."
And a royal source also told : “If Harry goes, he will want to have security for him and his family.
"If and when he decides to go back to the UK, he needs security.”
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And it's believed that it's even more unlikely for Meghan Markle to return to the UK with their two kids, Archie and Lili.
Harry is suing the Government to give him back the protection he lost when he quit royal duties.
The duke insists he wants to bring his children to the UK but he “does not feel safe” under the current security arrangements.
Yet he was told in court on Friday his demands to be allowed to pay for 24-hour armed protection when he visits here from the US were unreasonable because British police are not “guns for hire”.
Becoming the first member of the Royal Family to sue the Government, the Duke of Sussex, claimed in London’s High Court that he should be given taxpayer-funded armed guards.
Papers filed by his lawyers called the decision to remove his security after Megxit two years ago “unlawful”.
Harry’s legal team stated that he wishes to return to the UK “to see family and friends”.
They added: “Most of all, this is and always will be his home.”
It comes after High Court documents allegedly show that Harry tried to keep his protection legal fight a secret.
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According to the MoS, Harry tried to instate a confidentiality order on documents and witness statements surrounding his legal battle.
But the Home Office snapped back, arguing for transparency - now agreeing to a "confidentiality exercise" to determine what would be kept secret.
Asked whether the Sussexes could return for Philip's memorial, Royal biographer Phil Dampier told The Sun Online: "It wouldn't at all surprise me if they didn’t come back. I think the security gives them a good excuse not to.
"Harry might come because it looks good from a PR point of view.
"He will be criticised if he does come and criticised if he doesn't - he will look disrespectful to his grandfather who he was very fond of - so Harry may come but I’d be very surprised if Meghan does."
The expert added: "In the current climate flying about for one off events isn't a very good look, I think if [the memorial visit] was combined with a few days and a serious attempt to sit down with his brother and father and try and talk things through, you can see the point, but I don't get the impression that anyone is ready to heal the rift."
The spring service for Harry's late grandfather, who died at the age of 99, falls in the same year as the Queen's platinum jubilee.
It would be the perfect opportunity for the Sussexes to introduce their daughter, Lilibet, to the Royal Family.
But fears over their security has cast doubt over whether they will make the celebrations.
A legal representative for the Duke said of him leaving the UK: "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.
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed whilst in the UK.
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"In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home.”
Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.
