Prince Harry has claimed that the removal of his police protection was a strategic move aimed at coercing him and Meghan Markle into remaining within the Royal Family.

According to The Telegraph, the Duke of Sussex believes his “worst fears have been confirmed” by confidential evidence presented during a recent court case.

Back in 2020, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) decided to revoke the couple’s official security — a decision that Harry described as “difficult to swallow.” It’s also thought to lie at the heart of his ongoing conflict with King Charles.

Harry opened up about the pain he and Meghan have endured and hinted that the emotional damage may be difficult to repair.

The Duke was stunned when the couple’s taxpayer-funded police protection was rescinded after they announced their plans to relocate to the United States and step back from their royal roles.

He recently returned to the UK to attend a two-day appeal hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, where he challenged the decision to remove his security while on British soil.

Standing outside the court, he shared, “We were trying to create this happy house.”

It’s reported that both Harry and Meghan believed that building a peaceful life of their own would eventually help to mend ties with the Royal Family.

However, the couple viewed the withdrawal of their security as an attempt to pressure them into coming back to the UK — believing that visiting without protection would make them vulnerable and unsafe.

Determined to challenge the decision, Harry launched legal action against the British Government in an effort to reinstate his official security.

He said the case held even greater personal weight than his ongoing legal battles with the tabloid media, which he has previously referred to as his “life’s work.”

In an interview with The Telegraph, Harry expressed his distress over what he learned through the legal proceedings, especially the evidence submitted in private hearings.

“People would be shocked by what’s being held back,” he said. “My worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and that’s really sad.”

As the hearings wrapped up, Harry admitted he felt “exhausted” and “overwhelmed” by the experience.

Even if the appeal is successful, it’s possible that Ravec may still refuse to restore the Sussexes’ security arrangements.

Harry said he remains “driven by exposing injustice” and vowed to continue fighting, regardless of the final decision.

Critics have accused the Duke of hypocrisy following his recent visit to Ukraine, where he met with wounded soldiers — despite claiming that the lack of official security makes travel to the UK unsafe for him and his family.

However, a source told MailOnline that suggesting the Ukraine visit undermines Harry’s legal argument is “simply incorrect,” insisting that his security detail there was “more robust” than what he would typically have in Britain.

Another insider confirmed that Harry had greater protection during the Ukraine trip compared to what he receives when visiting the UK.

Earlier this week, MailOnline also reported that Harry did not meet with King Charles during his visit to London for the court hearing. The Duke arrived from Los Angeles last Sunday, while the King was reportedly resting at his private residence in Highgrove ahead of a busy week, including a state visit to Italy.

During the appeal hearing, it was reiterated that Prince Harry lost his taxpayer-funded protection following his unprecedented decision to step down from royal duties and “spend most of the time abroad,” according to what the High Court heard.