PRINCE Harry will face the High Court today over the Government’s decision to take away his police bodyguards when he visits the UK.
The Duke of Sussex is suing the Home Office because it refused to spend taxpayers money on bodyguards.
Harry, 37, who quit royal duty and privileges that come with the job to live in California with Meghan Markle two years ago, says he feels “unsafe” in the UK.
He wants to fund his own Met Police armed bodyguards but the Home Office refused and insiders are saying police are not “guns for hire”.
Harry is also arguing that his private protection team in the US does not have adequate jurisdiction abroad or access to UK intelligence information which is needed to keep his family safe.
The Duke’s case will be heard by Mr Justice Swift in London’s High Court this morning – but Harry will not be attending in person.
It is believed to be the first time a member of the Royal Family has sued Her Majesty’s government.
But it comes just six weeks before Harry wants to come back to Britain for a Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey with the Queen.
He also wants to come back for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.
The Sussexes were stripped of their round-the-clock protection when they stepped back from royal duties two years ago.
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Harry has moaned he is unable to return with Meg, Archie and Lilibet, “because it is too dangerous”.
He gets security when he stays at Frogmore Cottage or attends royal events but has to fend for himself if he wants to see friends and visit his UK charities.
A legal representative for the duke said: “Prince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life.
“He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats.
“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 not wanted to comment.
