The crash occurred in Northamptonshire, with Mr Dunn, 19, being killed while riding a motorcycle. The suspect, Anne Sacoolas, left the UK for the US, where she is currently protected under diplomatic immunity.

The extradition proceedings begun in December – and the Home Office have stated that the matter is now in the hands of the US authorities.

But the US State Department called an extradition request “highly inappropriate”.

They also insisted that Ms Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity because of her status at the time of the crash.

A spokeswoman stated they would “look at options for moving forward”.

She added: ”It is the position of the United States government that a request to extradite an individual under these circumstances would be an abuse.

“The use of an extradition treaty to attempt to return the spouse of a former diplomat by force would establish an extraordinarily troubling precedent.”

The crash which killed Mr Dunn happened just outside RAF Croughton, where Mrs Sacoolas’ husband worked.

Since the car she owned collided with Mr Dunn, she left the UK for her homeland, the US.

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She has since claimed diplomatic immunity.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Following the Crown Prosecution Service’s charging decision, the Home Office has sent an extradition request to the United States for Anne Sacoolas on charges of causing death by dangerous driving. This is now a decision for the US authorities.”

Mrs Sacoolas’ lawyer, Amy Jefress, has claimed her client will not be returning to the UK.

She said: “Anne will not return voluntarily to the UK to face a potential jail sentence for what was a terrible but unintentional accident.”

The extradition request will be sent via the British Embassy to the US State Department.

It’s then up to a lawyer to determine whether the case falls under the dual-criminality treaty.

This is where the alleged offence is considered a crime in both countries – and has with it a prison sentence of at least one year.

Currently, the maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving is 14 years.

The US may still reject the request for extradition.

They could attempt to argue Mrs Sacoolas is still entitled to diplomatic immunity.

Spokesman Radd Seiger said on behalf of Dunn’s family: “Anne Sacoolas will come back.

“She has to come back. There is no other way forward.

“So, whether they put up a fight and whether they actually refuse it, we will only know in time and the parents are determined to just take this a step at a time.

“It’s being handled by the officials now, by the lawyers, and we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves.”

He added: ”No-one, whether diplomat or otherwise, is above the law.”

He said despite everything the family are encouraged by the extradition request, calling a “huge step towards achieving justice for Harry”.

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