PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are understood to have gone to drastic lengths to keep themselves safe during their trip to the Netherlands this weekend.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly been given "VVIP status" by Dutch cops ahead of their first overseas trip together since Megxit.


It's believed they will be guarded by a "high-level multi-agency protection programme" when they touch down for the Invictus Games on Saturday – but have also taken extreme measures of their own.

The pair are said to have taken part in a "hostile environment" training course run by their security team, The Mirror reports.

They have also been assured a "high level multi-agency protection programme" is in place for the couple for the duration of their trip.

A source told the Mirror: "Harry and Meghan have received absolute top assurances that there is no credible threat to their safety.

Read More Royals

Harry & Meghan given ‘VVIP status’ ahead of trip to Netherlands this weekend

Harry ‘unlikely to visit Queen on 96th birthday despite being in Europe’

"This is the view of the Dutch authorities and other agencies across the continent.

"In any case, as they are attending a high profile event in the Netherlands, both the Duke and Duchess have been classed as VVIPs for the duration of their stay and overall responsibility for their safety at all times while in the Netherlands will be with the Dutch authorities."

It comes after Dutch authorities initially snubbed Meghan and Harry's plea for their private security team to be armed as they head to Holland.

The Sussexes' bodyguards are later said to have liaised with officials, who are said to have given the pair "high level assurances their protection is a priority".

Most read in The Sun

SLAPPED DOWN

Thandiwe Newton axed from film after row with Channing Tatum over Oscars slap

BIG LOVE

It’s been 16yrs since Big Brother and we're stronger than ever, say Grace & Mikey

BEYOND THE VEIL

Curse of Big Fat Gypsy Wedding – from messy divorce to tragic suicide pact

CHICKEN DINNER

I'm an ex-KFC worker and here are 4 things you need to know before ordering

It comes amid Harry's ongoing legal battle with the British Government after he was stripped of his taxpayer-funded Met Police armed guards when he quit royal duty.

The couple have been assured there is "no credible threat" to their safety and they will be impeccably looked after by Dutch security.

The Mirror reported that a "high level multi-agency protection programme" is in place for the couple for the duration of their trip.

It includes direct links to all law enforcement and emergency services, as well as "detailed extraction processes" in the event of a "personal or larger scale terror attack".

The Dutch national police’s DKDB Royal and Diplomatic Security Service are reportedly heading up the operation.

Harry and Meghan, 40, are also said to have taken part in a "hostile environment" training course ran by their security team.

The Duchess is rumoured to only be staying for a "few days" while Harry will see out the duration of the international sporting event.

They will both be in The Hague for the opening ceremony of Harry's games for wounded soldiers on Saturday.

SNUBBING THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY

And the Sussexes are set to be followed by a Netflix documentary crew throughout.

Despite being a short jaunt away from London, Harry is set to swerve a visit to the Queen on her 96th birthday.

The 37-year-old said he "does not feel safe" in Britain without armed security and says the decision to remove them is "unlawful and "unfair".

He and wife Meghan will head to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games, which kicks off on April 16.

But as the tournament wraps up on April 22, they will have missed Her Majesty's birthday on April 21.

The pair's itinerary has further ruffled feathers after they did not attend Prince Philip's memorial.

Read More on The Sun

Ukraine snatches Putin’s pal ‘Prince of Darkness’ & offers trade for POWs

Rylan in shock feud with I’m A Celeb star as she tells him to ‘get real!’

Harry's absence was blamed on the ongoing security dispute, but he was branded a hypocrite for planning a trip to the nearby Netherlands.

Harry and Meghan are believed to have armed protection in the US but are not allowed to use them when they come to Britain.

    Source: Read Full Article