Prince Harry’s Frequent Visits to Canada Cost Taxpayers Over £250,000, New Report Reveals

Prince Harry's personal engagements in Canada have proven to be a costly affair for Canadian taxpayers, as a recent report indicates that the Duke of Sussex has incurred expenses exceeding £250,000.

Throughout his life, Prince Harry has been provided with official royal security due to his seniority within the royal family.

However, newly obtained reports from Canadian media shed light on the significant financial burden placed on taxpayers as a result of his visits to the country during the early stages of his relationship with Meghan Markle.

CBC News reporter Elizabeth Thompson highlighted that Meghan was accompanied by a Scotland Yard police bodyguard at the 2017 Invictus Games opening ceremony, with Canadian taxpayers bearing the brunt of the expenses.

Thompson further explained that Prince Harry has always been surrounded by security, and when he visits Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) collaborates with British security forces to ensure his safety.

Unfortunately, the costs associated with this collaborative effort have far exceeded the expectations of Canadians.

Documents released to CBC News under the Access to Information Act reveal that between January 2016 and February 2020, an additional cost of over $334,000 was incurred by the RCMP to provide security for Prince Harry.

This amount is separate from the salaries of the officers assigned to protect him.

Surprisingly, the most expensive period was not when Prince Harry and Meghan spent Christmas in Canada, contemplating a partial relocation, but rather during 2017 and 2018.

During this time, Prince Harry engaged in official duties related to the Invictus Games, an event he founded.

Additionally, he attended WE Day and presented Duke of Edinburgh awards.

It was also during this period that he began dating Meghan Markle, who resided in Toronto while filming the television show Suits.

Paparazzi were drawn to Markle's residence, where they observed the presence of British security and RCMP officers in black SUVs.

At the Invictus Games opening ceremony, Meghan Markle joined Prince Harry and her close friend Marcus Anderson.

While she was safeguarded by a Royalty Protection Squad officer, it is important to note that at that time, she was not yet engaged to Prince Harry and thus did not qualify for taxpayer-funded RCMP protection.

The visits made by Prince Harry between April 2017 and March 2018 alone cost taxpayers $182,430.

This amount covered overtime work and travel expenses for the officers involved, but not their salaries.

In 2020, Prince Harry, Meghan, and baby Archie relocated to Canada, and the RCMP provided them with security, costing taxpayers approximately $33,000 per month.

Assistant Commissioner Pierre-Yves Bourdieu, Commanding Officer of the Quebec Division of the RCMP, emphasized the responsibility of the RCMP to protect VIPs visiting Canada, considering the potential threats and dangers they may face.

He stressed the importance of safeguarding these individuals to avoid any negative impact on the country's reputation.

Following their announcement to step back as active members of the Royal Family on January 18, 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan were stripped of their security by the firm.

Despite months having passed since this decision, they continue to face challenges in obtaining the security they require.

Being away from the other members of the Royal Family has made them an easy target for mockery and condemnation.

It is worth noting that Meghan Markle received royalty protection during the Invictus opening ceremony, even though she was not yet engaged to Prince Harry and was considered a commoner who did not qualify for taxpayer-funded RCMP protection.

In conclusion, Prince Harry's visits to Canada have come at a significant cost to Canadian taxpayers, with expenses exceeding £250,000.

The financial burden incurred by the RCMP for providing security has raised concerns among the public.

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle navigate their new roles outside the Royal Family, they face ongoing challenges in securing adequate protection.