Prince Harry won't attend the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial but 'hopes to see Queen soon'

Prince Harry has decided not to return to the UK for Prince Philip's memorial service in late March amid security fears.

The Duke of Sussex, 37, was expected to fly home for the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip on March 29, however has now pulled out of attending.

A spokesperson confirmed Prince Harry will remain in the US but "hopes to visit the Queen as soon as possible", royal journalist Omid Scobie reported.

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He tweeted: "A spokesperson for the Sussexes confirms that Prince Harry will not be returning to the UK for the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip on March 29.

"He does, however, hope to visit the Queen as soon as possible."

It is understood many members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate, will be in attendance at the Westminster Abbey event.

It comes amid the royal's legal battle against the UK Home Office over his security arrangements in the UK.

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Harry has previously claimed it is "unsafe" for him to return without security detail, however his plea to pay for his family's security has been rejected.

He is seeking to overturn a British Home Office decision which disallowed him to fund his own security staff when he and his family visits the UK.

During the first hearing for the case last month, Shaheed Fatima QC said on behalf of Harry: "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."

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"Most of all, this is and always will be his home."

The Queen has not yet met Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's second child, Lilibet.

The last time Harry visited the UK was to unveil a statue of his late mother, Princess Diana, alongside Prince William in July 2021.

Harry's decision to pull out of the March 29 comes just hours after Buckingham Palace announced Queen Elizabeth will no longer attend the Commonwealth Day service on March 14.

Her Majesty will instead send a video message and Prince Charles will represent the monarch instead, amid "concerns for her comfort".