Canada paid a police headquarters when Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attended an event related to the Invictus Games in February.
The move appears to be a U-turn by Canada, as the country had previously said it would not spend taxpayer money on the couple’s security after the Sussexes stepped down as working royals.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave up their roles in the royal family in 2020 and moved to Canada before settling in the United States later that year.
Meghan and Harry have lived in Montecito, California for the past four years.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave up their roles in the royal family in 2020 and moved to Canada before settling in the United States later that year.
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The couple travelled to Canada in February for a preview event ahead of the 2025 Invictus Games, which will be held in Vancouver.
According to CTV News, Vancouver police spent C$44,555 on security-related overtime during Meghan and Harry’s visit to the city.
The 390.5 hours of police overtime were not directly for the Sussexes, but were to maintain public safety around the Invictus event while unrelated protests took place in the city.
The couple’s personal protection was paid for by private donors, said an Invictus Games representative.
The couple’s personal protection was paid for by private donors, said an Invictus Games representative.
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A Freedom of Information Act request revealed that of the total security costs of C$44,555, the Invictus Games paid C$10,221 through expense reimbursements, leaving Canadian taxpayers with C$34,333 in overtime costs.
This comes as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being supported by a huge security team during their tour of Colombia, the South American country, according to an insider.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will make a four-day visit to Colombia in August.
The costs of security are borne by the Colombian taxpayer
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will make a four-day visit to Colombia in August.
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The couple accepted the invitation of Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez, to tour several cities across the country.
There were security concerns about the overseas tour, but an insider told the Mail the couple would be accompanied by numerous security guards as they would also be meeting the Vice President.
The source said: “They will be with the vice president and she has a lot of security because there have been assassination attempts on her.”
“But people are grumbling about why the Colombian taxpayer should foot the huge security bill for what is essentially a PR exercise for the Sussexes and for a government that desperately needs to distract from its mistakes.”
