Prince Harry still considers the United Kingdom his home despite moving to California in 2020 with wife Meghan Markle to start a new life after their bombshell “Megxit.”
“The UK is my home,” the Duke of Sussex, 39, said in a written statement read in a London court Thursday amid his ongoing legal bid for taxpayer-funded police security, according to the Daily Mail.
“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 US. That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil.”
Harry argued that he would be putting his wife “in danger” and himself in “harm’s way” if they are not provided with the appropriate protection.
The “Spare” author also made the claim that he and Markle, 42, were pushed out of the UK, stating, “It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020.”
Pvnew has reached out to a palace spokesperson for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
Since January 2020, Harry has made it seem as if his and his wife’s departure from royal life was a decision that they had come to together — not one that was “forced” upon them.
“The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly,” the prince said at a charity event in London at the time.
“It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option.”
Royal expert Omid Scobie revealed at the time, though, Harry and Markle may have not made that choice if a family member had stood up for them.
The “Endgame” author said in March 2020 the couple felt “Megxit” “wasn’t necessary,” but were forced into it after being “left to fend for themselves against impossible circumstances — even during her pregnancy.”
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Buckingham Palace claimed during the ordeal that senior royals were blindsided by Harry and Markle leaving.
“We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through,” a statement from the palace in January 2020 read.
Harry and Markle then officially resigned from all royal duties in February 2021, but a rep for the Sussexes said at the time that the pair remained “committed to their duty and service to the U.K. and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role.”
King Charles III then decided to evict Harry and Markle from Frogmore Cottage to give the royal property to Prince Andrew. The couple was also stripped of security because they were no longer working royals.
The father of two, who shares 4-year-old Archie and 2-year-old Lilibet with the “Suits” alum, has said he does not feel his family is safe when they travel to his native country.
In a January 2022 petition, Harry argued that his family “has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats.”
He has offered to pay for the costs of security himself so as not to affect the British taxpayers.
A decision in Harry’s security case is expected to be made at a later date.
