Queen Elizabeth wanted Prince Harry to have “effective security” even after he and his wife Meghan Markle left the Royal Family in 2020, a letter has revealed.
Newly published court documents which include the letter, show that after the 2020 break-up summit at Sandringham following the Sussexes’ departure from the Firm, the late monarch’s Private Secretary wrote to the Government saying it “is of paramount importance” to her that Harry and Meghan get protection.
According to the Telegraph, Sir Edward Young wrote to Sir Mark Sedwill, the Cabinet Secretary to explain what had been decided by Queen Elizabeth and her grandson.
The letter is said to invoke the memory of Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, over potential threats the Duke and Duchess of Sussex face from “extremists”.
Sir Edward wrote: “During their time in the UK, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex expect to attend public-facing engagements representing the charities and causes which remain dear to them.
“These engagements would no longer be formally undertaken on behalf of Her Majesty but, given the profile of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, we would expect they would still attract public attention.”
On the duke’s security, the late Queen’s most senior aide wrote: “You will understand well that ensuring that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain safe is of paramount importance to Her Majesty and her family.
“Given the Duke’s public profile by virtue of being born into the Royal family, his military service, the Duchess’s own independent profile and the well-documented history of targeting of the Sussex family by extremists, it is imperative that the family continues to be provided with effective security.
“And, of course, the family is mindful of tragic incidents of the past.”
The letter was reportedly submitted to the High Court as part of evidence.
This week, Prince Harry was involved in a three-day legal battle which consisted of private hearings as he contests the Home Office’s decision to downgrade his security whilst in the UK after he stepped down as a working royal.
He wants protection while visiting the UK and claims he and his family are in danger because of hostility toward him and his wife on social media and news media hounding them.
