It’s well known that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been unhappy with the level of security offered to them during their visits to the UK, after they discussed it publicly during their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey (where they also got deep about their decision to step away from their senior roles and a whole host of other matters).
Since then, the Sussexes have repeatedly continued to say that a lack of appropriate security is a major reason why they’ve not returned to the UK, along with the pandemic, as much as they’d have liked. Their stance is that the risk of threat to them (and their children, Lili and Archie) is no lower now that they’re no longer working royals.
Now, alongside a lawsuit already in motion against the Home Office, which highlighted tensions between himself and the Queen’s top aid, the Duke of Sussex has filed a further one against the Home Office and also the Metropolitan Police in relation to security matters.
It is believed to also center on the decision not to allow the Sussexes to privately pay for the top-level security that was previously afforded to them via the Home Office and the Met, through taxpayer money (since dropping back from their public duties they’ re no longer entitled to the same teams etc as they’re now seen as private citizens, regardless of whether or not they fund it themselves).
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An official from the Judicial Office told MailOnline: “It is at an early stage, no hearings have been listed yet and no decisions have been made.”
Prince Harry won the most recent round of his court fight, meaning he is now entitled to take the case forward for a full judicial review.
To date, it’s estimated that the government have spent £100,000 on the legal battle so far – The Sun reports that this includes £55,254 on the government’s Legal Department, £34,824 on counsel and £16.55 on couriers. Should the prince’s bid fail, he will likely need to cover all legal costs involved in his case against the Home Office.
Here’s hoping that things get resolved soon and that the Sussexes once again feel safe enough to spend proper time with their family and friends over in the UK, something it seems the Queen is especially keen on happening as she recently offered them an olive branch invitation.
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