The Canadian government has yet to decide whether it will assume the security costs associated with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to split their time between Canada and Britain, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday.
“I think that is part of the reflection that… needs to be had, and there are discussions going on,” Trudeau said in an interview with Canadian television channel Global.
“We’re not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, where the dispositions are and those are decisions for them,” he said.
Queen Elizabeth II allowed her grandson Harry and Meghan to split their time between Canada and Britain
Harry and Meghan caught the world off guard last week when they announced their intention to step back from frontline royal duties.
According to Trudeau, Canadians are “very supportive” of having the royal couple live in Canada, but there are still “lots of discussions to have.”
“We haven’t spent any time thinking about this issue,” said Canadian finance minister Bill Morneau, who was interviewed earlier Monday about British press reports that Trudeau had assured Queen Elizabeth II that Canada would cover security costs for Harry and Meghan.
“We obviously are always looking to make sure, as a member of the Commonwealth, we play a role,” Morneau said.
British press had reported Canada would contribute $650,000 (500,000 pounds) per year.
Canadian media have estimated that protecting the couple and their baby son Archie would cost about $1.3 million (Can$1.7 million) per year.
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Canadian taxpayers have traditionally contributed towards security costs when members of the Royal Family visit the country.
Prince Harry and Meghan, formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have said their official plan is to continue to “fully support” the queen and honour their duties to the Commonwealth and their patronages.
But they want to make 2020 a transition year to carve out their new role and launch their new Sussex Royal charitable entity and seek to raise their own sources of income.
On Monday, Queen Elizabeth II allowed her grandson Harry and Meghan to split their time between Canada and Britain.
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But she frankly admitted that the couple’s decision was not welcome news.
Meghan Markle might be heading back to Hollywood
The Duchess of Sussex had shocked the world when she and husband Prince Harry announced they were stepping back as senior members of the Royal Family with the intent of becoming financially independent.
Markle, who had left her career when marrying Harry, just might be making a comeback as numerous reports claim that she has signed a contract with Disney for a voice-acting role in a project related to charity.
Read more: Harry and Meghan’s Exit: Latest addition to a century of UK royal crises
Her contribution will also be in exchange for a donation to Elephants Without Borders, a charitable organisation dedicated to conserving wildlife and natural resource
Neither the Royal family nor the House of Mouse have confirmed this deal. However if true, this might be her way of returning to showbiz.
AFP with additional input by GVS News Desk.