King Charles Isn’t ‘In Control’ of Prince Harry’s Police Protection: His ‘Hands Are Tied’

Prince Harry is hoping and praying for a last-minute Hail Mary, a source tells Examiner, after his request for police protection was denied ahead of his return to the U.K. with wife Meghan Markle and their two young children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.

“This is a devastating blow for Harry,” reveals the source. “He was confident they’d be approved but word came back that they’ll only receive protection during their time at royal residences and, barring some type of miracle, that appears to be the final decision.”

One that has left the Duke of Sussex, 41, “in a terrible position,” the source notes, adding that without police protection, Meghan, 44, and their children “will be more vulnerable and unable to travel around so freely during their stay.”

As Examiner previously reported, Harry went to court to fight to have his taxpayer-funded state security reinstated — and lost.

“Harry knows his father [King Charles III‘s] hands are tied to a large extent as he’s not in control of the British authorities’ ultimate decision,” says the source. “[But] it only strengthens the ongoing belief that dark forces are at play here within the British Establishment and inside the Firm.”

However, there’s still hope that the Sussexes’ trip can proceed as planned.

A representative for Harry told People that he “continues to explore every available option” in the lead-up to his family’s expected arrival next week.

“Make no mistake though,” says the source. “He will only allow Meghan and the kids to join him on U.K. soil if he’s 100 percent sure that they’ll be adequately protected.”