Prince Harry's London visit will be the first time Duke of Sussex has returned to UK since court defeat

It will end the royal’s hiatus from the UK, which has gone on for three months since he lost his legal battle for taxpayer-funded armed police protection when in the UK.

Harry had claimed he was "singled out" for "unjustified, inferior treatment" since leaving royal duties five years ago.

His barrister argued that the removal of Met Police armed bodyguards had left the duke's life "at stake".

The California-based royal had fought the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office.

The case centred on a decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that Harry should receive a different degree of protection when visiting the country.

Ultimately, the Court of Appeal ruled against the Duke, with Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, dismissing his appeal.

One former senior judge, who was not involved in the case, told the BBC that Prince Harry's legal action was "preposterous" and "hopeless" from the start.

In his ruling, Sir Geoffrey Vos acknowledged the Duke's position, stating: "These were powerful and moving arguments and it was plain the Duke of Sussex felt badly treated by the system."

However, he concluded: "Having studied the detail, I could not say that the Duke's sense of grievance translated into a legal argument to challenge RAVEC's decision.

The Master of the Rolls was definitive in his judgment, adding: "My conclusion was that the Duke of Sussex's appeal would be dismissed."

The ruling means that armed police bodyguards, paid for by the British taxpayer, will not be automatically reinstated for Harry, Meghan and their two children when in the UK.

The legal battle had been ongoing since Harry's departure from royal duties, commonly referred to as "Megxit", five years ago.

The King and his youngest son are believed to have differing views over Harry's decision to pursue this legal fight.

Prince Harry may reach out to King Charles in a bid to meet with his father face-to-face for the first time in over a year when he returns to the UK next month.