Letters show Queen's concern for the couple's safety
Newly revealed letters between the late Queen's senior aide and the then Cabinet Secretary have thrown doubt on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's narrative that they were cut off by the Royal family. The letters, shown in court, demonstrate that the Queen considered it "imperative" for the couple to have "effective security". This comes as Prince Harry is challenging the decision to downgrade his publicly-funded security detail after stepping back as a working royal in 2020.
Harry claims he was "forced" to leave the UK due to security concerns
Prince Harry testified in court that he felt "forced" to leave the UK after his security was downgraded. In a statement read out on his behalf, he expressed his sadness at having to step back from his role as a working royal and leave the country. He emphasized the importance of keeping his family safe when they are on UK soil and explained that he did not want to put his wife and himself in harm's way unnecessarily.
Statement differs from earlier one issued by Harry and Meghan
The statement made by Prince Harry in court differs from the one he and Meghan Markle issued in January 2020 when they announced their decision to step back from senior royal duties. In the earlier statement, they stated that they had "chosen" to leave rather than being "forced" to do so. They expressed their intention to become financially independent while continuing to support Queen Elizabeth II.
Harry's legal team argues lack of transparency in security decision
Prince Harry's legal team argues that there was a lack of transparency in the decision to downgrade his security and that the usual risk analysis was not applied. They claim that his private security reported issues to the Metropolitan Police after he was harassed by paparazzi at a WellChild event in 2021. However, the required 28-day notice period was not followed in providing details of the incident. The Duke's legal team asserts that he is now aware of the importance of providing notice and has generally provided an intended itinerary.
The Celeb Report has reached out to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for comment.
