Sussexes’ security in Canada cost £30K for half their stay

THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s temporary visit to Vancouver Island cost Canadians more than £30,000 in security for half their stay, it has emerged.

The Duke and Duchess arrived in Canada on November 18, with costs up to January 19 calculated at $56,384, not including the salaries of the police guarding them. The sum covers overtime, travel, meals, “incidentals” and accommodation for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

They left Canada for their new home in Los Angeles, with RCMP ending its protection on March 14.

The couple, and their young son Archie, had been protected by police by virtue of their public roles as working members of the Royal Family.

There had been controversy in Canada after it emerged that the security bill would be met in part by Canadians, with the RCMP confirming in February that it would no longer foot the bill as the Sussexes left their public roles as working royals.

The force said it had an “obligation” to protect the pair because they are Internationally

Protected Persons, but confirmed the protection would end due to their “change in status”. The couple are now living in a new home in Los Angeles, where they are protected by security services that come with the property.

A source said that they did not request protection while in Canada, it was an automatic provision.

‘This is taxpayers’ money covering bills for one of the most famous and wealthy couples in the world’

Aaron Wudrick, director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, which filed a Freedom of Information request for the figure, said: “This is taxpayers’ money covering bills for one of the most famous and wealthy couples in the world. We’re proud to have given voice to the vast majority of Canadians who felt subsidising the Sussexes’ lifestyle choices was an outrageous use of tax dollars.”

The spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was contacted for comment.