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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Jennifer Newton

Harry and Meghan 'hire Michael Jackson's ex-bodyguard' and he joins prince for bike ride

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly hired a bodyguard who used to work for Michael Jackson to head up their security team.

New pictures show Harry enjoying a bike ride with pal Charlie van Straubenzee near his home in Montecito, California.

And tailing them behind appears to be Alberto Alvarez, a security guard who worked for Jackson and is said to have been with him when he died in 2009.

Alvarez, who has worked in security for 15 years, even had to testify at the trial into Jackson's death.

A source told the Sun: "Alberto has worked with the biggest celebrities so knows every trick in the book of keeping them out of harm’s way.

Harry and was joined on the bike ride by close friend Charlie van Straubenzee (@CelebCandidly / MEGA)

“He is discreet and was extremely loyal to Michael.

“He and Harry seem like a good match and Harry hopes he’s the man to look after him and his family."

During the bike ride, Harry dressed down in a grey rain jacket, shorts and a cap, while Charlie also wore a jacket and shorts.

The pair struck up a friendship while attending Ludgrove Prep School together and they attended each other's weddings.

Harry and Charlie have been friends since school (@CelebCandidly / MEGA)
Jackson with Alvarez in 2004 (WireImage)

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The new sighting of Harry comes just days before he and Meghan along with their children Archie and Lilibet will travel to the UK for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations next weekend.

It has been reported that the pair will be expected to join the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family at a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral next Friday.

Harry and Meghan are set to travel to the UK for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations (AFP via Getty Images)

Royals are set to gather en-masse for the event, which forms part of the Jubilee celebrations, and Harry and Meghan have confirmed they will be travelling to the UK for the four-day bank holiday weekend.

The service will come 24 hours after the Trooping the Colour event, which will see working royals only appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony, meaning there will be no place for the Sussexes, who now live in California.

A spokesperson for the couple said the couple are "excited" and "honoured" to attend the celebrations despite it being announced that there would be no place for them on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the Trooping the Colour event.

It will be the first time Harry and Meghan have brought their family to the UK since leaving for the US.

Lili’s first birthday falls during the Jubilee weekend on June 4 and she is yet to meet the Queen, Prince Charles and other members of the family.

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