Your trusted source

The Duke of Sussex is taking legal action against the government to allow him to pay for Metropolitan police security for him and his family when they visit the UK, the Guardian reports.

Prince Harry lost his taxpayer-funded police protection when he and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties in 2020. The couple privately funds their security in the US, where they now live.

Harry is seeking a judicial review against a Home Office decision not to allow him police protection when in the UK, which he states he is happy to pay for.

His legal representatives claim his private security team does not have adequate jurisdiction abroad or access to UK intelligence information necessary to protect him, his wife and their children, Archie and Lilibet.

A legal representative said the duke was “unable to return to his home” because it was too dangerous.

The couple’s bid for a judicial review was filed in September, according to the Mail on Sunday, which first revealed the legal action.

If the case progresses, it will lead to a high court battle between ministers and Harry, thought to be the first occasion in modern times when a member of the royal family has brought a case against the government.