Royal Family backed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's security plea, letter shows
The Royal Family and the late Queen backed continued security for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they stepped down as working royals.
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The Royal Family and the late Queen backed continued security for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they stepped down as working royals.
Queen Elizabeth II's most senior aide told a Home Office committee that keeping the Sussexes safe was "of paramount importance" to Her Majesty as he put forward the Royal Family's case, a letter has revealed.
The letter, from 2020, which has been included in newly published court documents shows Sir Edward Young writing to Sir Mark Sedwill, the then Cabinet Secretary, on behalf of Buckingham Palace.
Sir Edward 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.
The Duke of Sussex is involved in a legal battle with the Home Office over his security in the UK
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"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 discussions to date, including with [the former chairman of Ravec], have been useful in making sure that the parameters of the Ravec process are well understood.
"Of course, Her Majesty and her family recognise that these are independent processes and decisions about the provision of publicly funded security are for the UK Government, the government of Canada and any other host government."
Harry has launched legal action against the Home Office over their decision to deny him automatic police protection in the UK.
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It comes as Harry has launched legal action against the Home Office over their decision to deny him automatic police protection in the UK.
Last week, a three-day hearing took place at the High Court from Tuesday to Thursday.
The Duke of Sussex's legal showdown with the Home Office was mostly held behind closed doors due to privacy concerns.
Prince Harry's claim is being heard after the royal won the chance to appeal the Home Office's decision.
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Prince Harry's claim is being heard after the royal won the chance to appeal the Home Office's decision.
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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."