Meghan Markle and Harry called 'arrogant' for expecting UK taxpayers to pay for their security post Megxit
During their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle expressed disappointment over withdrawal of their SAS-trained Scotland Yard bodyguards “at short notice”. The Duke of Sussex claimed that not just protection was taken away from them, but the Palace also “literally cut me off financially”. Harry added that he used a legacy from his late mother, Lady Diana, to pay for his private protection. As per reports, the cost of round-the-clock protection for the couple as well as their son Archie is estimated at around $8.3 million annually.
While speaking about leaving the UK during the two-hour special, Harry told Winfrey, “I had to afford security for us. My family cut me off in the first quarter of 2020. I have got what my mum left me, and without that we would not be able to do this.” Meghan stated, “I even wrote letters to his family saying: ‘Please, it’s very clear the protection of me or Archie is not a priority. I accept that, that is fine – please keep my husband safe. ‘I see the death threats, I see the racist propaganda, please keep him safe, please don’t pull his security and announce to the world when he and we are most vulnerable.’ And they said ‘It’s just not possible’.”
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UK taxpayers call Harry 'arrogant money grabber', want him and Meghan to pay their own security bills
Following these allegations, the Sussexes have been accused of “astonishing arrogance”, with a former Scotland Yard officer saying, “It is astonishingly arrogant of them to presume the taxpayer would pick up the bill for millions of pounds to protect them when they have stepped down as members of the Royal Family, carry out no official duties and live in luxury in a foreign country.” Sources said that Meghan and Harry are not the only ones whose police bodyguards were withdrawn; even since 2011, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, daughters of Prince Andrew, also have had no protection.
Also, if Harry and Meghan were given the protection, the already multi-million-dollar bill reportedly might increase further, depending on how often they travel and to where. 24/7 guarding around the year may call for at least 12 bodyguards in shifts.
The soon-to-be-father of a baby girl said the withdrawal of the paid-for protection team was a “shock”. He added, “I was born into this position. I inherited the risk. So that was a shock to me.” However, it’s not like the duo did not try to keep the taxpayer-funded bodyguards as they released a statement that read before Megxit, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son. This is based on the Duke’s public profile by virtue of being born into the Royal Family, his military service, the Duchess’s own independent profile and the shared threat and risk level. As the grandson of Her Majesty and second son of The Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex remains sixth in line to the throne.” But their effort failed.
Meanwhile, experts said though Harry and Meghan have hired a security firm for their protection, it's not the same level of security provided by SAS-trained Scotland Yard bodyguards. Private security agencies are not allowed access to the latest intelligence reports, important in deciding if the VIP faces an increased threat, especially when not in the home country. They cannot utilize the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre, a police/NHS unit monitoring stalkers of public figures. Also, since the guards are ordinary citizens, they have to adhere to the gun legislation of the countries they visit, unlike police protection officers who are normally allowed to carry their sidearms.
One police insider said: “Harry and Meghan must fly first class and stay in first-class accommodation, so their bodyguards have to as well. It all adds up to a massive bill.”