PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle could skip Prince Philip’s memorial if their police protection row is not resolved in time, royal sources have said.
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.
A royal source told Page Six: “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.”
Harry plans to sue the Government to give him back the protection he lost when he quit royal duties.
And until then, legal representatives for the duke have said he and his family will be “unable to return” to the UK.
Asked whether the Sussexes could return for Philip’s memorial, Royal biographer Phil Dampier told The Celeb Report 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.
“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.
