Harry and Meghan say they will 'pay for their own security' after backlash from Canadian taxpayers
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are intending to pay their own security costs in a similar structure to that used by former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Harry and Meghan are currently in Vancouver and are working towards a new life for themselves and their baby, Archie. It had been unclear and vague as to who would be picking up the bill for the Sussex's security arrangements which was being funded by taxpayers after they officially left the royal family.
As reported by Telegraph, a source shared that the couple themselves will be looking into paying for security once they have attained commercial jobs. "Tony Blair reimburses at least part of his security costs on commercial trips. There is an arrangement for that in place. Harry and Meghan intend to do the same for private trips," a source shared.
The news follows reports of more than 80,000 Canadians signing a petition that demands that the couple pays for their own security in light of 'Megxit'. The couple, who recently made the decision to step down as senior members of the royal family, are currently being protected by a team of six British bodyguards and Canadian mounties. However, taxpayers and MPs in Canada are alarmed after it was revealed that Harry and Meghan's security cost could be around $7,9 million (£6 million) per year.
According to 1st Move International, the insurance premiums on shipping Harry and Meghan's artwork, jewelry, and personal effects would alone be around £200,000. It is not known whether British taxpayers would also be forced into paying the removals money. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation had launched the petition while the MP for Victoria on Vancouver Island, Laurel Collins, tried to block security cash handouts.
Thousands of Canadians decided to join an online campaign calling out the couple and asking them to pay their security bills themselves.