Prince Harry’s has told the High Court that he felt he was forced to step down from his role as a working member of the Royal Family.
The Duke of Sussex added that the move caused himself and Meghan Markle “great sadness”.
Harry has launched legal action against the Home Office over their decision to deny him automatic police protection in the UK.
Shaheed Fatima KC, Prince Harry’s barrister, said she wanted to make clear that the Duke of Sussex had not chosen to stop being a working member of the Royal Family.
Harry has launched legal action against the Home Office over their decision to deny him automatic police protection in the UK.
PA
The royal’s lawyer read an excerpt from his witness statement in which he said: “It was with great sadness for the both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020.
“The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the United States.
“That cannot happen if it is not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil.
“I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left their Royal Family roles in 2020.
PA
The final day of a three-day hearing took place at the High Court on Thursday.
Prince Harry’s legal showdown with the Home Office has been mostly held behind closed doors due to privacy concerns.
The Duke of Sussex’s claim is being heard before judge Mr Justice Lane after the royal won the chance to appeal the Home Office’s decision.
Prince Harry’s legal showdown with the Home Office has been mostly held behind closed doors due to privacy concerns.
PA
A privacy order has been issued over a concern that the vast majority of evidence cannot enter the public domain.
The judge said: “The material that needs to be protected in the interests of justice is very tightly entangled with less sensitive details required for the court to properly determine the claim.”
He added: “This means that the bulk of the hearing must be in private.”
