Prince Harry and Meghan refused private armed guards on Holland trip

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been dealt a major setback ahead of their first trip together out of America since Megxit.

Private armed security guards are off the table for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when they head to the Invictus Games this week, marking their first trip out of America since Megxit.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will both be in The Hague for the opening ceremony of Prince Harry’s games for wounded soldiers on Saturday.

According to The Sun, Dutch authorities said Harry and Meghan’s private close protection officers will not be allowed to be armed if they travel to Holland for the Games.

“No, in the Netherlands only government officials (police, military personnel etc) are allowed to carry weapons,” police spokeswoman Anna Sophia Posthumus told The Sun.

Prince Harry in his latest promo for the Invictus Games. Picture: Supplied

The event will also play host to the King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander and his aunt Princess Margriet who will be attending the seven-day games.

However, it is understood the Sussexes will not be staying at their palaces and there will be no official reception for the couple.

It comes as speculation grew that Meghan would join Prince Harry on stage at the opening ceremony, with insiders promising “a big surprise to launch the event”.

“Meghan is excited to travel with Harry for the event, which is certainly close to his heart,” a source said.

It’s understood the couple won’t bring their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Archie and Lilibet in their 2021 Christmas Card. Picture: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

The 2022 Games, which had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be covered in a special documentary for Netflix, Heart of Invictus.

Prince Harry and Meghan are due to appear in the series, with reports a crew will be following the couple to Europe to cover their time at the event.

While in Europe, Prince Harry is rumoured to be making a private visit to the Queen after missing his grandfather’s memorial service last month.

Prince Harry faced backlash for being absent at the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, citing security as being the reason for staying away.

The Queen and Prince Harry in a film about The Invictus Games in 2016.

He previously said it would be unsafe for him to return to the UK with his family, without police protection officers, and is currently in a dispute with the British government over the issue.

However, he is suing the British government after his taxpayer-funded Met Police armed guards were removed when he quit royal duty.

Former Met Inspector Ken Wharfe, who worked in private protection for Prince Harry, Prince William and Princess Diana, said the potential risks of the contest are far greater than those the royals would face in London.

“I’m baffled about why Harry thinks he would be safer in the Netherlands than in the UK,” Mr Wharfe told MailOnline.

“He would have travelled to his grandfather‘s memorial service with his brother or father and received protection from the Met.

The Queen pictured during a virtual visit to a London hospital last week. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s not like he would have been turning up at Westminster Abbey on a bike.”

The trip comes after the Queen “regretfully” pulled out of an Easter event next week.

Her Majesty, 95, had been due to attend a service at St George‘s Chapel in Windsor on April 14, but she will instead be represented by Prince Charles and Camilla.

It is the first time the Prince of Wales will take the Queen’s place at the Maundy Day church service.

The annual event is an important fixture on the royal calendar and will see Prince Charles follow the ancient tradition of distributing Maundy money to community stalwarts on Thursday.

Originally published as Prince Harry and Meghan refused private armed guards on Holland trip