During the Invictus Games, it has been reported that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry requested British Columbia taxpayers to cover all expenses related to their accommodation, travel, food, and security for the 2025 Games.
This request resulted in two top chiefs leaving their positions, as the couple sought an escort similar to the one provided during the Invictus Journey in 2023.
However, the cost of this escort was substantial, and their demanding attitude led to outrage among Invictus volunteers.
Furthermore, former security personnel of Meghan and Harry recently came forward to share their unpleasant experiences while providing security for the couple when Canadians paid for their protection.
These officers revealed that they were treated as errand runners, responsible for menial tasks like fetching coffee and groceries.
This treatment was seen as a significant waste of valuable resources.
According to The Sun, it seems that Meghan and Harry’s security team lost respect for the royal couple after their move to Canada.
Despite taking a team of highly trained close protection officers with them when they stepped back as senior royals and relocated to Canada, Scotland Yard officers, who were responsible for their protection, expressed concerns about being relegated to tasks that did not align with their role.
Instead of focusing on ensuring the safety of the couple, they were assigned to pick up groceries and coffee.
A source within Royal Security highlighted that although the officers were willing to fulfill their duties, there was a sense that their expertise was not appreciated.
This sentiment was echoed by a former close protection officer who had worked for other members of the royal family, including the Duke of York and Princess Royal.
They also expressed concerns about the treatment of Meghan and Harry’s security team, suggesting that it demonstrated a lack of appreciation for their skills and knowledge.
It is important to note that British taxpayers continued to fund the couple’s security while they resided in Canada, with an annual expenditure of £60,000 for protection officers.
These officers were paid overtime and periodically replaced every two weeks.
However, when Meghan and Harry moved to the United States, they were no longer entitled to security coverage.
Despite this, Prince Harry recently filed a lawsuit against the Home Office in an attempt to secure taxpayer funding for his security, provided by Scotland Yard officers.
Unfortunately, the lawsuit was unsuccessful.
Prince Harry argued that his status as the sixth in line to the throne and his need to seek the Queen’s permission for marriage entitled him to such privileges.
However, the judge dismissed this argument as irrelevant, emphasizing that the royal family’s jurisdiction is limited to Great Britain.
Security is provided based on working royal status within the institution, rather than simply due to a specific position in the line of succession.
In a letter to Prince Harry, it was made clear that since his future plans were not related to Britain and he was no longer a working royal, public spending on his protection could not be justified.
The security arrangement would be reviewed once his future plans were clarified on an individual basis.
Prince Harry had been warned by Prince Charles that he and Meghan would lose their security if they left their roles as working royals.
It was understood that the British public would not be willing to finance their security when they were no longer fulfilling royal duties.
The Canadian public also had limited patience for such expenditures, making it unlikely for the couple to find support for extended security arrangements.
The belief held by Meghan and Harry that they could maintain a high level of security and funding after stepping back from their royal duties appears to be unrealistic.
Their sense of entitlement seems out of touch with the reality of their changed status.