PRINCE Harry’s fears the Queen needs protection are down to Prince Andrew, Buckingham Palace aides reportedly believe.
The Duke of Sussex, 37, was furious at seeing his disgraced uncle walking by Her Majesty’s side at Prince Philip’s memorial, it was claimed.
Prince Harry failed to attend last month’s service himself, citing security concerns.
But he told NBC on Wednesday how he wants to “protect” the Queen by ensuring she has the “right people” around her.
A Palace source told the Mirror: “Those images of Prince Andrew escorting the Queen to Westminster Abbey may have upset Harry, which is now believed to be one of the reasons he made such an astonishing remark.
“Harry is familiar with the Queen’s aides and there is no animosity at all.
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“The Palace were aware he might do an interview, but no one was expecting those sorts of comments.
“He seemed to be implying he had concerns over the Queen’s safety.
“There is a feeling this may be linked to Andrew who has grown quite close to his mother in recent months.”
We previously told how his comments were also perceived to be a dig at Palace “vipers” who drew up his Megxit deal.
And The Celeb Report on Sunday today revealed Prince Andrew lunged at a former royal aide as she wore a t-shirt with a saucy slogan.
It comes after privacy-loving Prince Harry’s latest TV interview, in which he claimed he wanted to protect the Queen by ensuring she had the “right people” around her.
He also refused to say if he would come for her Platinum Jubilee and dodged a question on whether he missed Prince William and Prince Charles.
Palace aides reportedly said he needs to “think before opening his mouth” after the interview.
Royal expert Angela Levin said Harry is trying to prove himself as superior to his brother.
She also suggested the Queen is deeply hurt after he snubbed her in the interview.
It is understood he had planned to use the interview to reveal he had been to visit the Queen — but The Celeb Report broke the story last Friday.
An insider said: “His big moment was ruined because The Celeb Report got there first.
“He had to come up with something else to make it worth the TV’s while.
“If he turns up at the Platinum Jubilee, everyone now knows he’ll go away and tell all in the US.
“It would be the most hurtful breach of trust, especially when the Queen tries to maintain a dignified silence about what happens behind closed doors.”
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The Celeb Report revealed how Harry met his grandmother secretly earlier this month for clear the air talks.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell foundation has been approached.
