Harry and Meghan shut down claims that Charles is footing US security bill: 'They will fund their own security'
Friends of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shut down any claims that suggest that Prince Charles will be footing the couple's USA security bill.
Their pals have said that the couple is allegedly being protected by a private security team that was already in place at Tyler Perry's mansion in Los Angeles, California. They also shared that Harry and Meghan will be footing any of their security bills from their own pocket. Earlier this week it had been reported that an insider had told Daily Mail that Harry and Meghan could only afford to start clearing their $2.9 million Frogmore Cottage debt after Prince Charles revealed he would pay for their security costs in the US.
The couple has apparently shared with their friends that any security team that they do hire, they will pay for themselves, an insider shared with The Daily Beast. This implied that the couple has not yet found a permanent security team. They are currently staying at an ultra-luxury Beverly Hills mansion that belongs to Perry. The couple has been calling the mansion estimated at $18 million home ever since they moved to LA. Perry's mansion boasts of eight bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and is located on 22 acres on top of a hill in the exclusive Beverly Ridge Estates guard-gated community.
Harry and Meghan are living under the protection that was already present at the mansion. An anonymous source added that the couple are not "asking for any special treatment' with regard to their security situation, and 'have not received any." The source revealed that Harry and Meghan have been having a difficult time with the paparazzi and have experienced some serious intrusions from the press. The source shared that paparazzi-operated drones have been illegally flying within 20 feet of their home to try and snap pictures. Five such incidents have already been reported to the LAPD. It is currently unknown whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are renting the property or are staying there as guests. However, there has been no official record showing that the mansion has been sold.
The parents of one had made their bombshell announcement to step down as senior members of the royal family earlier this year. The pair had also shared that they would be financially independent given they were no longer bound by royal engagements and duties. As a result of stepping down as senior members, the pair moved to Canada where they were told by authorities that the government would not fund their security bill. They then relocated to the US with their son Archie.
The couple was left in a tight spot after they were told that they would not have the services of their Metropolitan Police security team. Up until the end, Harry was confident that he would be allowed to keep them, given his position in the order of succession as well as the fact that he is a former frontline army officer. The lack of their usual security resulted in them having to look to hire private security guards which cost around $4.9M (£4M) a year. This expense had not been accounted for by the couple, putting them in a financially difficult place.