The incumbent president of the United States, Donald Trump said that the country will not pay for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s security protection.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently flew to the U.S and settled into a large home around Los Angeles, where she was born and raised. The two, parents to their 10-month-old Archie Harrison, had taken refuge in Canada for the last few months, during which they declared their plan to leave the monarchy. The royal exit will take effect this week.
On Sunday, Trump tweeted that he is a great friend and admirer of the Queen and the United Kingdom, and he knew in reports that Harry and Meghan, who left the UK would reside permanently in Canada. At this time that they have left Canada for the U.S, however, the latter will not pay for their security protection, and that they must pay.
Following Trump’s tweet, a spokesperson for the couple, has stated to the British press that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have no plans to ask the US government for security resources, as privately funded security agreements have been made.
The Sussexes were under the protection of the Canadian Royal Mounted Police during their stay in Canada, as by request of the U.K.’s Metropolitan Police. A month after they announced their royal exit plans, in February, Canada’s Office of the Minister of Public Safety said in a statement that the assistance will stop in the coming weeks, in accordance with their change in status.
The Daily Mail on Saturday, quoted a royal source as saying that the U.S and U.K have had a time-honored corresponding agreement when it comes to bodyguards protecting royals and diplomats, but after the Sussexes left the monarchy, Harry will no longer be considered an “international protected person.”
- Advertisement -The source added that someone should ask the State Department, and ultimately, the decision lies with Donald Trump. The source went on that Harry cannot live in the U.S without armed protection, and that if Trump declined, the duke and duchess would have to pay for private security or the U.K will carry on with footing the bill.
Before Trump was elected in 2016, and prior to Meghan marrying into the royal family, whose members aren’t allowed to outwardly express political opinions, the then actress was an outspoken critic of the U.S Republican leader.
