Prince Harry camp hits back at 'hypocrisy' fury over secret Ukraine visit

Prince Harry's secret visit to Ukraine has been defended after critics labelled the trip 'hypocritical'. The Duke headed over to just hours after a London High Court hearing over his security arrangements in the UK.

It has emerged that the met war victims at a clinic in the war-torn country yesterday, as part of his ongoing work supporting injured veterans. The in the war with , came after being in London earlier this week for a Court of Appeal hearing regarding his level of security when in the UK. Harry has previously said he cannot bring his family to the UK without taxpayer-funded police protection and at the end of a two-day hearing earlier this week, his lawyer said the "at stake".

When news of Harry's trip to Lviv emerged, some questioned Harry's decision to travel to Ukraine amid his security fight, with TV host calling him a 'hypocrite'. Veteran royal commentator Richard Palmer also told GB News: "The reaction has been uniform. People are saying 'hang on he's come over because he needs police protection because he's not safe in the UK. But then he's gone to a warzone in Ukraine".'

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However, sources close to Harry, told that it is "simply incorrect" to suggest his visit to Ukraine is 'hypocritical' or that it undermines his security case. Harry is challenging the against the Home Office. It comes after a decision by the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the UK.

In Ukraine, Harry visited the Superhumans Centre in Lviv, an orthopaedic clinic and rehabilitation centre for adults and children affected by the war in Ukraine. The organisation provides specialist prosthetics, mental health support and physiotherapy to injured veterans and civilians free of charge.

The Duke toured the centre and met patients and medical professionals to learn about the services that are provided there. Harry, a former British Army captain who served on the front line in , has long supported former service personnel, having established the Invictus Games in 2014.

He was joined by people from the Invictus Games Foundation on Thursday's visit, including four veterans who have been through similar experiences to the civilians and ex-service personnel being rehabilitated at the Superhumans Centre.

The games, a Paralympic-style sporting competition for injured and sick military personnel and veterans, was last held in Canada in February and were attended by then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The has been outspoken in their support for Ukraine and Harry is the most senior royal to visit the country following a trip last year by Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.

The King welcomed Ukrainian president to his Sandringham estate in Norfolk in March, days after Mr Zelensky's unprecedented public clash with US President and his vice president JD Vance in the White House’s Oval Office. And , Harry’s brother, met Ukrainian refugees during a two-day visit to Estonia last month.