Prince Harry's lawyers have argued that the British royal feels unsafe bringing his two children to his native England.
The 37-year-old launched a legal challenge after the U.K. government refused to let him personally pay for police protection for himself, his wife Meghan and their two children whenever they visit his home nation.
During a preliminary hearing at the High Court in London on Friday, Harry's lawyers stated that the royal is unwilling to bring his children - Archie, two, and eight-month-old Lilibet - to the U.K. because it would be too risky without police protection.
According to The Associated Press, Harry's lawyer, Shaheed Fatima, said the prince "does not feel safe when he is in the U.K. given the security arrangements applied to him."
She added, "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. Most of all, this is and always will be, his home."
Senior members of the British royal family are given police protection funded by the taxpayer, a right Harry lost when he and Meghan stepped down as working royals and relocated to Santa Barbara, California, in 2020.
The Duke of Sussex wants to be able to personally pay for police protection during his visits to the U.K., claiming his private team in America doesn't have the jurisdiction or access to U.K. intelligence information.
Lawyer Robert Palmer, representing the government, called his claim "unarguable and unmeritorious" and argued in a written submission that "personal protective security by the police is not available on a privately financed basis".
Harry did not attend the hearing.
