Meghan Markle’s sister, Samantha, has shared her thoughts on Prince Harry’s announcement that he will not be attending a memorial service for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Harry will not return to the UK from the US to join the Royal Family at the high-profile occasion in Westminster Abbey on March 29, a spokesperson for the duke confirmed.
Philip died just under a year ago in April 2021 at the age of 99, with Harry returning to the UK for his funeral, without Meghan.
The duke wants to bring his son Archie and baby daughter Lilibet to visit from the US, but he and his family are “unable to return to his home” because it is too dangerous, a legal representative previously said.
Former military serviceman Harry, 36, is currently taking legal action against the Home Office who stripped him of his security from the Met Police after stepping down as a working royal.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star from her home in Florida, his sister-in-law, Samantha said: “I think the bottom line is naturally, he would have security, asking to make security such a big issue seems like some sort of excuse on the grounds that the whole Royal Family are attending.
“As the whole world has seen The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children live such high profile lives yet with a resemblance of normality, they don’t always take private jets and travel coach (economy), while on royal duty they have security, it’s the same with Princess Anne.
“Harry and Meghan stepped down from royal duty and wanted to pursue the red carpets and be American so therefore it only seems right and protocol that they’re not entitled to the same benefits that royal duty comes with.”
She added: “To demand it, he’s a family member, that hasn’t changed but to demand things that being in duty would provide, it’s counter-intuitive and seems childish and selfish, especially under these conditions and everything that has transpired.
“Flinging racial allegations against the royals, they were horribly attacked by Harry and Meghan, so to turn around and demand private security after evading royal duty, it’s totally inappropriate.
“Not to mention the fact, Prince Philip was his grandfather but Harry has been in service, Prince Philip served in World War Two, not only to honour him as his grandfather but also a military figure, who is noted for great service is highly disrespectful.”
She continued: “To put something as petty as security ahead of the obvious ethical, humane military and royal respect, it doesn’t make sense, it’s sad.”
It’s believed that The Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Edward, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince Andrew and wider members of the Royal Family are expected to attend.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk