Queen Elizabeth II may never meet Lilibet as Prince Harry refuses to return to UK

It seems Queen Elizabeth II may never meet her great-granddaughter Lilibet or see her great-grandson Archie again after Prince Harry announced today 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 of Sussex says that despite his offer to pay for the Scotland Yard protection officers himself, his offer has been declined.

A spokesperson for Harry said: "Prince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life. He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats.

"While his role within the institution has changed, his profile as a member of the Royal Family has not. Nor has the threat to him and his family."

They continued: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed whilst in the UK.

"In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home."

Lawyers for the Duke has since filed a "pre-action protocol" that will - should the courts grant it - result in a judicial review. Such reviews can typically cost £100,000.

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.