Prince HarryandMeghan Marklewill bespending a lot more time in Canadamoving forward, but it remains to be seen who will be picking up the tab for their security.
At the conclusion of the historic family summit on Monday,Queen Elizabethannounced that that as conversations regarding their decision tostep down as senior royalscontinue, there will be a “period of transitionin which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.”
“Althoughwe would have preferredthem to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family,” The Queen, 93, said in the statement, going on to specifically mention that the royal couple “do not want to be reliant on public fundsin their new lives.”
“These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”
One such matter that appears to still be unresolved is the question of who will cover security costs for the royal couple and their sonArchieduring their time in Canada.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/POOL/AFP via Getty
According to a report from theEvening Standard, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has privately assured the Queen that Canada will help pay for their security, although Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau has gone on the record as sayingno final decision has been made.
“No, we haven’t spent any time thinking about this issue,” Morneau told reporters on Monday, according to CBC News. “We obviously are always looking to make sure, as a member of the Commonwealth, we play a role. We have not had any discussions on that subject at this time.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have yet to offer much clarification.
Anticipating that there would bemany questionsabout their groundbreaking decision, Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, previously laid out the details of their plan on their website,SussexRoyal.com. However, the section relating to how their “future financially autonomy” extends “to covering the costs of security” did not provide many answers.
“As stated on gov.uk, ‘No breakdown of security costs is available as disclosure of such information could compromise the integrity of these arrangements and affect the security of the individuals protected. It is long established policy not to comment upon the protective security arrangements and their related costs for members of the Royal Family or their residences.’ ”
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Shortly after making their bombshell announcement last week, Meghanreturned to Canadato reunite with their 8-month-old son, as Harry remained in England and participated in afamily summitwith the Queen,Prince CharlesandPrince Williamon Monday.
The Duchess of Sussex was thought to have participated via phone.
While Trudeau has yet to publicly weigh in on the matter, he did offer the royal couple awarm welcomelast month, after it was confirmed that Harry and Meghan would be “spending private family time in Canada” over the holidays.
“Prince Harry, Meghan, and Archie, we’re all wishing you a quiet and blessed stay in Canada,” the 47-year-old politiciantweetedat the time. “You’re among friends, and always welcome here.”
At the time, the palace said Harry and Meghan’s decision to base themselves in the country over the holidays “reflects the importance of this Commonwealth country to them both.”
“The Duke of Sussex has been a frequent visitor to Canada over many years, and it was also home to The Duchess for seven years before she became a member of the Royal Family,” the statement continued. “They are enjoying sharing the warmth of the Canadian people and the beauty of the landscape with their young son.”
source: people.com
