The Duchess of Sussex “supports Harry 100 percent,” says a source, but she “wants him to live in a world where he is not burdened by this.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty

Meghan Markle wishes that Prince Harry didn’t have to carry the weight of litigation as he fights for greater security protection for their family of four.

The Duchess of Sussex “supports Harry 100 percent, but she wishes he could let go of these lawsuits, be happy and live in the moment,” a former employee of their Archewell Foundation tells PEOPLE in this week’s exclusive cover story.

“She wants him to be free of all of this, but she also knows that because of everything he’s been through and his love for [her and their children], he can’t. She wants him to live in a world where he is not burdened by this,” says the former staffer.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, has been involved in several legal battles in recent years, but according to multiple well-placed insiders, no issue is more critical to him than security. Stripped of his Metropolitan Police bodyguards in 2020, Harry has been fighting ever since to reinstate police protection for himself and his family. He lost his bid to restore his taxpayer-funded security earlier this year. (He has plans to appeal.)

Multiple well-placed insiders in the Duke of Sussex’s circle tell PEOPLE that Harry believes his father has the power to reinstate his security. Buckingham Palace will not comment on security provisions, but a palace source tells PEOPLE the notion that Harry’s security is in Charles’s hands is “wholly incorrect.”

The issue has created an impenetrable wall between Harry and Charles. The conversation has now shifted from frustration to “complete silence” from the King, claims a friend of Harry’s.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Prince Harry Shares Why He Won’t Bring Meghan Markle Back to the U.K.: ‘It’s Still Dangerous’

Those close to Harry say the monarch no longer takes his son’s calls or answers his letters.

“He gets ‘unavailable right now,’ ” says the friend. “His calls go unanswered. He has tried to reach out about the King’s health, but those calls go unanswered too.”

Exactly what is stopping Harry from securing the protection he seeks is a matter of bitter contention: Constitutionally, the monarch has no governmental power in the U.K., and the power to bestow police protection lies with the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC), which operates on behalf of the U.K. government. But Harry, whose offer to personally cover the cost of police protection was also rejected in court, feels that as King, Charles could intervene to ensure such protection is extended.

PEOPLE magazine, Aug. 12, 2024.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Relationship Timeline

Amid the royal rift, the Duke of Sussex is deeply concerned for the safety of his wife and their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

“Harry is frightened and feels the only person who can do anything about it is his father,” a royal insider tells PEOPLE.

Adds another close source, “Harry is determined to protect his own family at all costs.”

King Charles and Prince Harry arrive at the committal service for Queen Elizabeth at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Sept. 19, 2022. Kirsty O’Connor – WPA Pool/Getty

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

The echoes of the 1997 death of Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, in a high-speed car chase also weighs heavily, particularly now that he is a parent.

“As a dad and husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself,” the friend says.

However, if the matter of security is resolved, “it’s ‘swords down,’ ” says Harry’s friend, as nothing “would give [Harry] more happiness than being able to rekindle his bond with his father.”