Prince Harry and Meghan Markle underwent 'hostile environment training' ahead of Invictus Games trip

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received 'hostile environment training' to prepare them for their trip to the Netherlands this weekend, according to royal insiders. 

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received 'hostile environment training' to prepare them for their upcoming Dutch trip, according to an inside source.
• The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit the Netherlands this Friday to attend the Invictus Games 2022 at The Hague, for what will be their first joint trip to Europe in over two years. 
• In other royal news, ‘Hopeful’ Prince William tells Cate Blanchett he’s ‘a stubborn optimist’ about climate crisis.
  

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle underwent 'hostile environment training' in the US ahead of their upcoming trip to the Netherlands, a royal insider has revealed. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to arrive at The Hague on Friday for the Invictus Games 2022, marking the couple's first joint trip to Europe since their emigration to North America in January 2020. 

The international sporting event, which was founded by ex-soldier Prince Harry in 2014, will see over 500 wounded service members compete in 10 adaptive sports, including weight-lifting and wheelchair rugby, between April 16 and 22. It will be also attended by multiple high-profile people, including US politician Pete Buttigieg and the Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander. 

The news of Meghan and Harry's trip comes shortly after the couple missed Prince Philip's memorial in London over concerns for their security in Britain. The Duke refused to return to the UK after the Home Office denied his request for government protection, a service usually only afforded to full-time working royals.

The 37-year-old claimed he felt unsafe in his native country, having been chased by photographers after Princess Diana's statue unveiling in July. 

It's now understood that Meghan and Harry, who were refused the royal privilege of palace accommodation in the Netherlands, have received 'hostile environment training' to help ease their nerves during the Dutch trip. 

The intensive course, which was reportedly delivered by their security team, likely prepared the couple to deal with sudden attacks by recreating dangerous scenarios. From being bundled into a car to making negotiations as a hostage, the training is designed to give the client the essential skills to survive a potentially deadly situation.

The Sussexes have also "received absolute top assurances that there is no credible threat to their safety", according to the Mirror. 

"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."