Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agrees taxpayers in his country should pick up the huge bill for the couple’s round-the-clock protection while they are there. Trudeau — still dealing with the fall-out from the downing of a Ukrainian aircraft by the Iranian military which killed 57 Canadians — has privately assured the Queen that Harry, Meghan and Archie’s safety will not be jeopardised while they reside there.
But it is feared that the move to pay about half the estimated $1.2 million annual bill could lead to a “furious” backlash in Canada and threatens to damage the status of the monarchy there.
A poll conducted in August 2017 found that 41 percent of Canadians wanted to abolish the monarchy following the death or abdication of the Queen, while 43 percent were in favour of maintaining ties.
The Governor General, who represents the Queen in Canada, is protected by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and as a prince of the realm of Canada, Harry and his family will be protected by the same team of guards, which will have to be expanded.
The Queen has agreed a "period of transition" in which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend time in Canada and the UK. She said she was "entirely supportive" of their desire for a new role but "would have preferred" them to remain full-time working royals.
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