LIZ JONES: Prince Harry is back in Britain and had an invitation, yet STILL swerved the wedding of one of his ‘band of brothers’ – and I think I know why

He’s like a terrier with its favourite sock. After nearly four years of never letting go, with everything now in tatters, Harry’s tug-of-war with the British Establishment will result in someone being left howling and licking his wounds inside a cold outdoor kennel.

The prince of peeves arrived at the Court of Appeal this morning and it was clear from the way he slammed the door of his Range Rover that he meant business.

He is on a mission to reverse a decision that downgraded his taxpayer-funded security while he is in the UK. He said in a previous statement that he needs to protect not just himself but his wife and children.

‘The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home… That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil.’

His security here is provided on a case-by-case basis and he must also give 28 days’ notice of his arrival. Harry has his own private security team but says that, without access to risk analysis, they are operating blind and, without the right to bear arms (private security guards are not allowed to carry guns in this country), vulnerable to pistol-packing threats.

His barrister, Shaheed Fatima KC, pointed out this morning that the prince, who stepped down from official duties in 2020, did not believe he was automatically entitled to the same protection he had when he was a senior royal.

Harry is merely challenging the way the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) took the decision.

Right, so he is slamming car doors and presumably spending vast sums on legal representation – not to mention flights and a hotel (the case continues tomorrow, while a written ruling will be released later) – on a technicality. He is literally splitting heirs.

Harry has offered to pay for armed police protection while in the UK, which the authorities say is not possible (I have some sympathy with anyone faced with ‘the computer says no’ mentality of officialdom in this country), but will he stump up to cover the half a million pounds the case has already cost the taxpayer?

Harry chose to attend the hearing when he was under no obligation to do so. While he wouldn’t answer questions from the media as he walked into court this morning, it’s understood Harry did not meet the King before the monarch flew to Rome. (Harry landed on Sunday, while the King was still in residence at Highgrove.)

It was an ideal opportunity, and especially timely given Charles had recently visited hospital due to a reaction to cancer treatment. Also, given his father is in his seventies. And also, um, given they love each other.

Because what if something happens to his father? That thought is always at the forefront of your mind when a parent is fragile. What if this is the last time they will have the opportunity to talk face-to-face and clear the air?

That said, I find it hard to imagine that Harry’s legal battle wouldn’t have been the only topic of conversation, with his father expressing an opinion that darling boy Harry simply didn’t want to hear. And who wants extra stress before a tiring, tedious official overseas visit?

Almost as puzzling is that Harry swerved the wedding of one of his so-called ‘band of brothers’, despite an invitation, and despite preparing to visit the UK.

Surely being among close friends, letting what hair he has left down, would have done him the world of good, especially after the controversy swirling around his charity, Sentebale.

My suspicion is that his reticence was due to aching, never-far-from-the-surface nostalgia for all he has lost. The sight of the English countryside in springtime teeming with blossom and daffs would have been too much to bear.

It’s understood Harry did not meet the King before the monarch flew to Rome

Almost as puzzling is that Harry swerved the wedding of one of his so-called ‘band of brothers’, Charles Vivian (second from left)

He cut a lonely figure on Tuesday morning, the only handholding coming from his long-serving bodyguard, Dave Langdown, an experienced but necessarily unarmed former Met copper.

His live-streamed appearance in the courtroom (some of the proceedings will be held in private) is a far cry from the lifestyle Harry is supposed to be living, if Netflix is to be believed. Like most court proceedings, it was tedious, long-winded and boring.

Does he really believe his previous statement: ‘I cannot put my wife in danger… and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.’

Or is he merely barking outside in the cold, scratching at the door, begging to be let back in on a dubious pretext?

Most people I speak to say, well, if Kate can go shopping in Kensington seemingly without a care in the world, what is it that makes Harry, far below her in rank, so paranoid?

Yes, if his mother’s car had been flanked by a security convoy and, yes, if a trained, approved, sober driver had been at the wheel, she would still be alive.

But Diana is the one who dismissed royal protection (she felt she was being spied upon). And Harry, no one can live without some degree of risk. You could break your neck playing polo for starters.

Of course our much-loved prince needs to be protected: his fame is due to an accident of birth, not ambition – certainly not talent or hard work.

He is telling us he wants to be heard, he wants to be taken seriously, he wants to come home and, crucially, he wants vengeance.