Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are trying “to punish somebody” amid their ongoing rift with the Royal Family, an expert has claimed.

Harry began a lawsuit against the Home Office in 2020 after changes were made to his security in the UK after he stepped down as a senior workin royal. The 39-year-old later moved to the US, where he has now lived with Meghan and their two children for the past four years.

Speaking to TalkTV about the security battle, royal expert Kinsey Schofield said that it seems as thought the couple are trying to “punish somebody” by dragging it out.

As reported by livemint.com, Ms Schofield said: “Meghan not coming during several of the last visits, Harry refusing to stay at the Palace. It’s almost as if they’re trying to prove their point by saying, ‘Well, Meghan can’t come. She’s not safe enough. Harry can’t stay at the Palace, it’s not safe enough.

“It feels they are creating this distance to punish somebody and to prove some point but the reality is that’s the safest Harry would have been.”

Back in February, it emerged that Harry had lost his case against the Home Office.

This came after their decision to strip him of his level of taxpayer-funded police protection, which would occur during his visits to the UK.

In a judgement earlier this year, High Court judge Peter Lane rejected the his claims that the decision was unfair and ruled that the Home Office and Ravec’s decision would stand.

However, it was revealed last week that he has now been told he can appeal the verdict at the Court of Appeal, according to an order from Lord Justice Bean dated May 23 2024.

Since stepping down as a working royal, Harry has made several visits to the UK – including his most recent trip last month.

Harry flew to the UK in early May to attend a special ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

The Duke travelled alone, with Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, remaining in the US.

Meghan last visited the UK in September 2022, with the visit including an appearance at the late Queen’s funeral.

Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, have not visited the UK since June of that year – with Lilibet having only ever visited the UK once.

Prior to Harry’s visit last month, it was reportedly that Meghan was fearing an “anxiety-fuelled visit” if she and their children were to join him.

At the time, an insider told the Mirror: “It’s now got to the point where Meghan doesn’t want to come to the UK with the children. She just doesn’t feel safe.”