According to confirmed sources, Prince Harry is set for a long and perilous legal fight against the British government.
In a statement issued by Prince Harry’s legal team, it was revealed that he has decided to sue the Home Office.
More specifically, Prince Harry is requesting “for permission to bring judicial review proceedings against Home Secretary Priti Patel” in hopes of having the case advance to the High Court.
The British royal shared more details of the lawsuit with the public because information about the case was leaked to the media via The Mail on Sunday.
According to the statement, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is going after the government because they have denied him the opportunity to pay for the adequate security he and his family need when he travels to the United Kingdom.
Prince Harry said that he feels unsafe to take a trip to his home country with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their young children — Archie and Lilibet Diana.
He cited the fact that he was born with major security risks because he has royal blood and has been threatened by many extremist and dangerous groups.
Prince Harry also stated that he offered to pay for the cost out of pocket for his family protection.
The independent royal, who lives in California, shared via his representative: “The Duke first offered to pay personally for UK police protection for himself and his family in January of 2020 at Sandringham. That offer was dismissed. He remains willing to cover the cost of security, as not to impose on the British taxpayer.”
After Prince Harry’s decision to go public, the British government has hit back and made it clear that they plan to take the legal fight all the way.
A source from The Home Office spoke to the Daily Mail and explained that they would forge ahead and added: “The Home Office is refusing to back down in its extraordinary legal battle with Prince Harry over his police protection when he visits Britain.”
Another source spoke to the British media outlet and threw cold water on Prince Harry’s claim that the biggest part of the legal drama has to do with the fact that he is forbidden from signing a massive cheque for his protection.
The senior source has told this newspaper: “I’ve not seen anything in writing that suggests this is about whether or not he pays for it. It’s about whether or not the security is granted here that is the issue.”
In the statement issued to the media, Prince Harry’s lawyers explained that privately hired bodyguards could not provide Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their young children the protection they require in the UK.
However, government officials are said to be upset by the renegade royal’s legal action.
A security source revealed to the publication: “When Harry left The Firm, the terms of his divorce were clear. Like other members of the public, he and his wife are not able to hire armed cops at will – no matter how much they offer to pay.”
The lawsuit has put a damp on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s plans to attend Queen Elizabeth II‘s Platinum Jubilee celebrations that are set in June.
Prince Charles has come forward and invited his son and his family to stay with him during their next trip.
