Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s move abroad could cost taxpayers MILLIONS more in security
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle's move abroad could cost British taxpayers millions in extra security if the couple get their wish to have 24/7 police protection paid for by the public.
In an extraordinary statement announcing they will quit the Royal Family and move to Canada, Harry and Meghan said they expected taxpayers to continue funding their royal protection officers as "internationally protected people".
The six-strong security team provided by Scotland Yard currently costs around £600,000 a year.
But costs would balloon to several times that figure if British police were forced to provide the service overseas.
Metropolitan Police and Home Secretary Priti Patel are now reviewing the Sussexes security arrangements.
A source told the Evening Standard: "Royal Protection by armed Metropolitan Police officers is mandated by the Home Office.
"Until now their official roles mean the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their son are classified as internationally protected people.
"That stays in place for now. But as the circumstances have changed there will now be a full review.
"If the Sussexes intend to live abroad, and not just carry out international official visits abroad, it will involve far more resources.
"There is no guarantee it will be granted."
LIST OF DEMANDS DESPITE 'FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE'
The couple announced they want to be 'financially independent' when they start their new lives in North America.
But they still want to keep Frogmore Cottage - refurbished with £2.4m of taxpayers' cash - as their London residence and their 24/7 security officers even after quitting their public roles.
The couple said they would use the five-bedroom pad "as their official residence as they continue to support the Monarchy, and so that their family will always have a place to call home in the UK."
Public money funded the upgrade after Harry and Meghan rejected a home in the grounds of Kensington Palace, saying they wanted a place of their own.
They currently live in the property rent free.
Graham Smith, chief executive of the campaign group Republic, slammed the couple for expecting the public to fund their lifestyles while they shun their public duties.
He said: "It's not just Frogmore Cottage - they're going to be relying on the Metropolitan Police to provide security.
"And they are going to be relying on their official title to cash in and make a profit on those official titles that they hold.
Harry, 35, is staying in Britain to host the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw next week.
It's possible he could be out of the Royal Family by the time he leaves Britain, after Buckingham Palace said it wanted the matter settled in "days not weeks".
The Queen is crushed by this. She knew that they wanted some kind of change and she was trying to accommodate them.
Royal source
Her Majesty led a crunch meeting of the four households as she dialled in from Sandringham, Charles from Scotland, William on the phone in London and Harry speaking from home in Windsor.
The Queen was left "deeply upset" by Prince Harry and Meghan's announcement they are quitting as senior royals and moving to North America.
No other members of the Royal Family were consulted before the shock statement was issued.
Sources claimed the pair would be "punished" for rolling out their plans without warning.
A royal source said: “The Queen is crushed by this. She knew that they wanted some kind of change and she was trying to accommodate them.
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“Discussions started before Christmas and there was willingness to help.
“Their statement on Wednesday, put out without anyone’s knowledge, was devastating.
“Why couldn’t all this have been sorted out properly behind closed doors?"
