Meghan Markle and Harry’s £7.6m-a-year security could still be paid for by taxpayers… but UK and Canada could split it

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle’s £7.6million-a-year security bill looks set to be picked up by taxpayers even after they dropped their HRH titles and stepped back as senior royals.

Details of how their security will be funded have been a source of tension since the couple announced they will split their time between the UK and Canada.

Buckingham Palace tonight revealed details of the Megxit deal between Prince Harry and Meghan and senior members of the royal family, but the issue of security was not addressed.

The statement said: “Buckingham Palace does not comment on the details of security arrangements.

“There are well-established independent processes to determine the need for publicly-funded security.”

A security expert has told The Globe and Mail, one of Canada’s biggest newspapers, that the couple’s security could cost £7.6 million annually.

Chris Mathers, formerly of the RCMP who worked in intelligence but also protection of Royal Family members and presidents to Canada, has said the costs are so high because Prince Harry and Meghan will have to set up their security from scratch.

He said: “They need personal body guards all the time. You have to pay those peoples’ salaries.

“You’ve got to pay for the vehicles they travel in and the aircraft they travel in. You have to pay for the communications equipment they require because it has to be sophisticated so that you can’t listen to it.”

A royal expert has said the Canadian government may step in with a contribution, but the British taxpayer is likely to be footing the rest of the bill.

Royal expert Duncan Larcombe suggested that Meghan and Harry’s security bill was around £1m-a-year.

He told The Sun Online: “The bill for their security – estimated to be in excess of £1m-per-year – will still be paid for by the British taxpayer with a likely contribution from the Canadian government.

“This would be the same for retiring Prime Ministers or politicians who have held very high office and would be carried out by the Met Police’s highly trained SO14 unit.”

The arrangement that was agreed today will come into play this spring, meaning they will be carrying out royal engagements and Meghan will be returning to the UK.

In a statement it was announced the royal couple will repay the £2.4million spent on Frogmore Cottage and it “will remain their UK family home”.

It is understood Prince Charles will continue to privately fund for the upkeep of their home, but it is not clear if it will be through his Duchy of Cornwall coffers.

Last year, Prince Harry and Prince William shared about £5million, and £2.3million of that went to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Prince Harry and Meghan will “no longer receive public funds for Royal duties” as they are stepping back as senior royals.

The couple will now be known as Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and “will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family”.

Princess Diana, Harry’s mum, lost her HRH title when she divorced from Prince Charles and her title was re-styled as Diana, Princess of Wales.

Prince Harry will lose his Captain General of Marines, Hon Air Commandant, Commodore-In-Chief and Youth Ambassador titles.

It is understood that in return for dropping the use of the HRH titles, there will be no oversight on how the couple earn money, meaning they can make whatever commercial deals they want.

The Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations, but they “no longer formally represent The Queen”.

Tonight’s announcement marks the conclusion of talks between senior members of the royal family and royal aides.

It is expected Prince Harry will fly back to Canada to join Meghan and Archie.

A poll released earlier this week revealed about 73 per cent of Canadians said they don’t believe they should be responsible for the Sussexes’ security and other expenses after they announced they want to live in the country part time.

It is unclear what role Canadians will play in funding the couple, but Royal Canadian Mounted Police officials have said the couple are entitled to protection in the country.

Cpl. Caroline Duval of the RCMP said in a statement: “His Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Wales [Harry], along with members of his family, are Internationally Protected Persons (IPPs) and are entitled to the protection of the RCMP while in Canada.”

She added the RCMP would be responsible for their security in Canada at “all times” and related costs would be covered through the “existing operational budget”.

After a year the Megxit deal will be reviewed again by the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William.

The future of the couple’s new website venture is unclear as it is not known if they will keep the “Sussex Royal” name if they are no longer working royals.

Their website, sussexroyal.com, was swiftly updated after tonight’s statement saying: “In line with the statement by Her Majesty The Queen, information on the roles and work of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be updated on this website in due course.”

In a separate message this evening, the Queen said she was pleased that “a constructive and supportive way forward” had been found and reiterated that Prince Harry, Meghan and baby Archie “will always be much loved members of my family”.

Her Majesty wished them a “happy and peaceful new life” after mentioning the Duchess separately.

The Queen said: “I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.”