HARRY ARRIVES TO FACE THE ROYAL MUSIC
EXCLUSIVE: CANADA SAYS IT WILL PICK UP SECURITY BILL
PRINCE Harry was arriving at Sandringham today for showdown talks with the Queen, his father Prince Charles and his brother Prince William over his plans to stand down as a senior royal. Today’s summit comes five days after the bombshell announcement from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that they want to step back, seek financial independence and spend much of their time in North America.
The fallout has engulfed the Windsor dynasty in one of its biggest crises since the death of William and Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997.
Prince Charles arrived at Sandringham, the Queen’s Norfolk estate, last night after
a whistlestop visit to Oman to pay his condolences to the new ruler following the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said.
The Duke of Cambridge was also understood to have arrived in Norfolk last night and stayed at his Anmer Hall residence. Today’s meeting is believed to be the first time that the Prince of Wales’s sons have been together in the same room since the Remembrance Day commemorations in November.
Harry, who has been staying at his home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, was due to arrive this morning. No time for the meeting has been announced by the palace.
Meghan, in Canada with son Archie, could join the conversation by conference call but might not be able to due to the time difference, sources said.
Police were out in force today along with palace press officers, who moved on photographers gathered at the main entrance to Sandringham, which is a private estate.
The meeting came as the Evening Standard learned that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has agreed that taxpayers in his country should pick up the huge bill for the couple’s round-theclock protection while they are there.
Mr Trudeau — still dealing with the fallout 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 million annual bill could lead to a “furious” backlash in the country and threatens to damage the status of the monarchy in Canada.
A poll conducted in August 2017 found that 41 per cent of Canadians wanted to abolish the monarchy following the death or abdication of the Queen, while 43 per cent 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.
Harry, a former British Army officer, is regarded as a target by terror groups, including the Taliban who have threatened to assassinate him in the past because of his two high-profile tours of Afghanistan and his public support for military causes.
The security arrangements in Canada would be implemented even if the couple continue to have British royal protection officers at their side from the Met — but Scotland Yard is liaising with the Home Office about their future role.
Aaron Wudrick, director of the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation, has raised concerns about the cost.
He said: “I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect us to pay for everything the way we do for a royal visit. If they’re going to make Canada a second home, a good step in the right direction would be to pay for at least part of it, and not rely on taxpayers to fund their entire lifestyle.”
Meghan lived in Toronto for several years during the filming of US legal drama Suits. The family spent Thanks
giving and Christmas in British Columbia.
Sources said today’s showdown at Sandringham follows a series of meetings and consultations that have taken place in the last few days. A range of possibilities were being reviewed by the royal family, which will take into account “the thinking” the Sussexes have outlined in their desire to step down as “senior royals” and establish a self-funded role. But informed sources have stressed that implementing any agreed changes to the working life and role is “complex” and requires thoughtful discussions and time.
The Queen — who is said to be “hurt” by Harry and Meghan’s decision to go public with their plans in defiance of her entreaty to wait — has made it clear she wants a solution to be found “at pace”, within days not weeks
The exact timing of the meeting or what the range of possibilities that will be on the table for discussion has not been revealed. But informed sources are describing it as a “family meeting” and palace officials will only be present at the family’s request.
Royal Protection by armed Metropolitan Police officers is mandated by the Home Office. Their official roles mean Harry and Meghan and their son are classified as internationally protected people, but there will now be a full review.
The couple’s decision to take a sixweek holiday in Canada and North America over Christmas meant they were protected by Scotland Yard with back-up from Canadian police.