Prince Harry won't return to UK for Philip memorial after security 'row'

The Duke of Sussex has confirmed he won't be returning to the UK for a memorial in honour of Prince Philip, which has been seen as a major snub towards his grandmother the Queen.

The 37-year-old, who had previously been in a row and legal case over security concerns, confirmed he would not be making the journey back to Britain for the memorial service set to take place at Westminster Abbey on March 29.

"The Duke will not be returning to the UK in late March, but hopes to visit his grandmother as soon as possible," a statement issued on behalf of Harry read.

Prince Philip passed away on April 9 last year at the age of 99, and Harry returned for the funeral service.

Two months later he also attended the unveiling of his mother Diana’s statue at Kensington Palace, alongside his brother Prince William.

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Royal experts have called out the Queen's grandson for his decision not to attend, with some suggesting he may even use the excuse for the monarch's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

"He has snubbed the Duke of Edinburgh but really he is snubbing the Queen," Harry’s biographer Angela Levin told The Sun.

"He has got this all wrong. If he comes over for a royal event he gets police protection. What they won’t do is, if he goes out with his friends he gets security."

Prince Harry faced backlash in January after challenging a decision that he should not receive police protection when on British soil, even if he covers the cost himself.

Harry launched a fight in the High Court over security, insisting he wants to bring his children Archie and Lilibet to the UK but he "does not feel safe" under the current security arrangements.

He and wife Meghan Markle have relied upon a private security team since they left their senior duties within the royal family and moved to the US in 2020.

However, his legal representatives said that these arrangements did not give the prince the level of protection he needed while visiting Britain.

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