Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would maintain a security team even after they officially stepped down as senior members of the royal family and dropped their HRH titles on March 31. The big question now is who will pay for their security?
In their official post on the Sussex Royal website, Harry and Meghan announced that they will continue to require an "effective security" to protect them and their son, Archie. They did not, however, say who will pay for their security.
The statement reads that the Sussexes need protection because of Harry's public profile as he was born as a member of the royal family, his military service history, and Meghan's public profile. It added that the couple has shared a high threat and risk level which was documented over the past few years.
There have been reports that Harry and Meghan's security in Canada would cost $10 million annually. Speculations have it that Canada would pay for it. The Canadian government remained mum over the issue, but its citizens already expressed objection to the idea.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has started a petition to block the proposal for publicly-funded security for the couple. So far, the petition has garnered over 100,000 signatures in a matter of weeks.
CTF Federal Director Aaron Wudrick said most Canadians don't mind paying for the security of the members of the royal family on official state visits. However, they would not agree on paying for what they view as "wealthy celebrities." Wudrick said most Canadians view Harry and Meghan came in their country because they wanted to evade their royal duties and escape their lives in the U.K.
"Effectively Harry and Meghan are not seen as royals coming here. They are seen as wealthy celebrities. Just as if a Hollywood star were to move here, they would be expected to pay all their own costs," he told Express.
Wudrick warned that if Canadian taxpayers will be forced to pay for Harry and Meghan's security, it will have a negative impact on the future of the monarchy in the country. He said even those people who are for the monarchy are not willing to accept the responsibility of paying for the Sussexes' security.
It was also revealed that the Canadians' public opinion on whether or not to continue with the Queen as head of state is almost evenly split. In the latest poll this month, 53 percent of those who were asked were skeptical of the monarchy's future after Queen Elizabeth II passed on the crown.
