Harry and Meghan will have a 'tough time' paying for security after coronavirus halts their commercial plans
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may find it difficult to pay for their security and their current lifestyle amid the coronavirus pandemic, an expert has revealed.
The couple had moved to Los Angeles, California, recently after stepping down as senior members of the royal family. They may now be facing the problem of footing their own security bill which is estimated to be around $4.9million (£4million).
The prospect of footing their own security bill given that they have no regular source of income may be the concern here, royal expert Omid Scobie revealed.
While speaking on The HeirPod podcast, Scobie shared that the pair will not be immune to financial problems as the pandemic is most likely preventing them from pursuing commercial opportunities.
"They have spent the last few years not earning a living. As a royal, your expenses are covered but you don't earn a salary. It will be very tough for them especially in the few months ahead," he shared. "No-one knows when there is an end date to this. This could follow us for some time," he added.
"For Harry and Meghan, on top of the difficulties they have had with the press, there has been this underlying issue of who pays for security moving forward. It is something the couple was very conscious of — that from March 31st it would have to be done by themselves," Scobie continued.
"They didn't want to leave themselves open to further attacks." We had earlier shared that Donald Trump had announced that the US would not be footing the couple's tax bill.
He had taken to Twitter to share, "I am a great friend and admirer of the Queen and the United Kingdom. It was reported that Harry and Meghan, who left the Kingdom, would reside permanently in Canada."
"Now they have left Canada for the US. However, the US will not pay for their security protection. They must pay!" he shared. March 31 saw the official "Megxit" take place with Harry and Meghan officially stepping down as senior royals.
They also had to give up their HRH titles and are not allowed to use them anymore. Both the UK and the US have had a longtime reciprocal agreement with regards to bodyguards protecting diplomats and members of the royal family.
Trump's secret service agents would be allowed to carry their own weapons on his state visit and the Queen and Prince Charles's bodyguards would be able to do the same on official trips to America.
Harry's exit from the royal family means that he will no longer be considered as an "international protected person", hence he does not fall under the purview of the same rules.
It has been reported that Harry and Meghan had decided to settle down in the US given Meghan's large support system who live there. The couple had moved to LA in order to be close to Meghan's mother Doria Ragland.
It is also believed that the pair had moved to be closer to their new Hollywood agents and PRs as they venture into their new royal-free life. The couple has settled in LA along with their baby son, 10-month-old Archie.