Harry, Meghan Seen To Snub Prince Philip Memorial As British Gov't Refuses To Budge On Security For Sussexes

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could reportedly skip Prince Philip’s upcoming memorial if their fight over security remains unresolved. The issue has also kept the Sussexes from flying to London to join the rest of the British royals for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 37 and 40, respectively, permanently left their royal posts early last year, they were stripped of taxpayer-funded police protection. The couple had to pay for private security services following their relocation to Montecito, California.

As much as Harry wanted to bring 7-month-old Lilibet and 2-year-old son Archie to be reunited with the royal family, they are “unable to return to his home” due to safety concerns, a legal representative said, noting their privately paid-for team has no authority in the U.K., Page Six reported.

It had been expected that Prince Harry, together with his wife and kids, would attend the spring 2022 service for his late grandfather, who died last April at age 99. Notably, he flew back home last year for the funeral services of the late Duke of Edinburgh.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles has reportedly invited the Sussexes to stay with him and Duchess Camilla in England to spend time with his grandchildren, according to Cosmopolitan.

"If Harry goes, he will want to have security for him and his family. If and when he decides to go back to the U.K., he needs security," a royal source said.

"The Prince of Wales has been saddened that he hasn’t had the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren, which he really does miss," another insider claims, adding that, “in the meantime, there has been a series of good-natured and enjoyable calls between them all, which is something the prince very much look forward to.”

However, the invitation will also remain up in the air. The Duke of Sussex's legal dispute with the British government continues as he fights to secure police protection for his family during their supposed visit to Buckingham Palace.

Harry's camp had clarified that the Prince twice offered to pay for the services but to no avail. They are now seeking a judicial review of the decision by the U.K. Home Office, Elle note.

The father of two's inflexibility on the issue stemmed from an incident when a pack of photographers chased him while leaving an event for charity WellChild in London last summer.