Prince Harry claims he "does not feel safe" in the UK following the loss of his police protection

It seems Queen Elizabeth II may never meet her great-granddaughter Lilibet or see her great-grandson Archie again after Prince Harry insisted he will not return to the UK unless he receives police protection.

The 37-year-old prince - who, along with wife Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties two years ago and now lives in California - is seeking a judicial review against a decision from the Home Office over its refusal to provide security on his visits to the UK.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex lost their public-funded protection in the UK and have privately paid for their own security in the US.

Harry says that despite his offer to also pay for the Scotland Yard protection officers himself, his offer has been declined.

Speaking at a preliminary hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Harry's legal representatives said the Prince is reluctant to return to his home country because he does not feel safe.

His lawyer, Shaheed Fatima, said: "This claim is about the fact that the Duke does not feel safe when he is in the UK given the security arrangements applied to him in June 2021 and will continue to be applied if he decides to come back.

"It goes without saying that he does want to come back to see family and friends and to continue to support the charities that are so close to his heart. This is and always will be his home."

However, Fatima was rebuked by the judge for her remarks, as the focus for the hearing was on whether details of the case regarding security arrangements for the royal family and other public figures should be kept private or made public.

The refusal of the Sussexes to fly to the UK from their home in California until the security row is resolved means the Queen will not see her great-grandchildren any time soon.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the row.