Hannah Furness

ROYAL EDITOR

Queen Elizabeth II’s most senior aide told a Home Office committee that keeping the Duke and Duchess of Sussex safe was “of paramount importance to Her Majesty and her family” as he put forward a case for their continuing security, a letter has revealed.

Sir Edward Young wrote to Sir Mark Sedwill, the Cabinet Secretary after the Sandringham summit of January 2020 to explain what had been decided by the late Queen and her grandson.

The letter, included in newly published court documents, reveals that Sir Edward – writing on behalf of the Palace in his role as the late Queen’s private secretary – made the case for the Sussexes’ continued “effective security” even as they left the working Royal family. It invokes the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and talks of threats the Sussexes face from “extremists”.

The letter calls into question a prevailing narrative that the Duke and Duchess were cut off by the Royal family after their decision to leave Britain, and accusations that palace aides were obstructive.

It has been submitted to the High Court as part of evidence to determine whether and when the Duke offered to pay for his own security.

He has claimed it was raised during the Sandringham Summit. Ravec, the Home Office committee that rules on security matters, did not receive any such offer at that stage, it was claimed.

Reporting details of what was agreed at the summit, Sir Edward wrote: “During their time in the UK, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex expect to attend public-facing engagements representing the charities and causes which remain dear to them.

“These engagements would no longer be formally undertaken on behalf of Her Majesty but, given the profile of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, we would expect they would still attract public attention…

“In regard to their Commonwealth patronages, although the Duke and

Duchess of Sussex will not be

Senior aide’s letter calls into question narrative that the Sussexes were cut off by the Royal family