Experts say annual sum reaches millions of dollars

Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition demanding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pay for their own security costs, amid mounting concern the country could be saddled with a bill costing millions of dollars.
Since the couple announced they were giving up formal royal duties and public money, they have been holed up in a $20m private mansion on a secluded cove on Canadas Victoria Island. 
When they leave the property they are escorted by a number of bodyguards, several of whom are British. In recent days, the guards have also been filming cars driving past, many of them belonging to international media.
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Prime minister Justin Trudeau has to date failed to say what agreements have been made to cover such costs. 
Reports in the UK media say he told the Queen that Canada would foot the bill, but Mr Trudeau told Canadian reporters this week: I have not spoken to Her Majesty directly. Discussions continue to be ongoing and I have no updates at this moment.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures
1/55 September 2017
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. The Invictus Games is an international sport event for wounded, injured and sick (WIS) servicemen and women, both serving and veteran. It was created by the Duke of Sussex and aims to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding of all those who serve their country
2/55 November 2017
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace following the announcement of their engagement
3/55 November 2017
Meghan Markle shows off her engagement ring
4/55 December 2017
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene in King’s Lynn
5/55 January 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan during a visit to Reprezent 107.3FM in Pop Brixton. The Reprezent training programme was established in Peckham in 2008, in response to the alarming rise in knife crime, to help young people develop and socialise through radio
6/55 January 2018
Meghan Markle greets well-wishers on arrival at Cardiff Castle for a day showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Wales
7/55 January 2018
The couple watching a dance performance by Jukebox Collective during their to Cardiff Castle
8/55 February 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk through the corridors of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on their way to a reception for young people in Edinburgh. The reception celebrated youth achievements, marking Scotlands Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people: celebrating their achievements, strengthening their voice on social issues and creating new opportunities for them to shine
9/55 February 2018
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum in London. Under the theme ‘Making a Difference Together’, the event showcased the programmes run or initiated by The Royal Foundation
10/55 March 2018
Prince William, Kate, Meghan and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
11/55 March 2018
Meghan Markle greets well-wishers after a visit to one of Belfast’s most historic buildings, The Crown Liquor Saloon, a former Victorian gin palace, now run by the National Trust. It was the Royal couple’s first joint visit to Northern Ireland
12/55 April 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet participants as they attend the UK team trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath
13/55 May 2018
Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland arriving at Cliveden House Hotel the night before her wedding to Prince Harry
14/55 May 2018
Royal fans sing for the television in Windsor the day before the Royal wedding
15/55 May 2018
Meghan Markle walks down the aisle in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, during her wedding
16/55 May 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand facing each other hand-in-hand before Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their wedding ceremony
17/55 May 2018
Prince Harry kisses the Duchess of Sussex, as they pass through the Cambridge Gate into the grounds of Windsor Castle at the end of their carriage procession
18/55 May 2018
The newly married royals leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House
19/55 June 2018
Queen Elizabeth II sitts and laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire
20/55 June 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan return in a horse-drawn carriage after attending the Queen’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’ on Horseguards parade
21/55 July 2018
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the RAF flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, as members of the Royal Family attend events to mark the centenary of the RAF
22/55 July 2018
Meghan and Prince Harry kiss after the Sentebale Polo event that was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club
23/55 August 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet the cast and crew of “Hamilton” backstage after the gala performance in support of Sentebale at Victoria Palace Theatre
24/55 September 2018
Meghan meets 7-year-old Matilda Booth during the annual WellChild awards at Royal Lancaster Hotel in London
25/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan meet 98-year-old Daphne Dunne during a meet and greet at the Sydney Opera House during an official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand
26/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan meet a koala named Ruby and its koala joey named Meghan after the Duchess of Sussex during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney
27/55 October 2018
Prince Harry looks on as his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is hugged by student Luke Vincent of Buninyong Public School following the couple’s arrival at Dubbo Regional Airport in Dubbo
28/55 October 2018
Harry and his wife Meghan watch aboriginal dances at Victoria Park in Dubbo
29/55 October 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet with lifeguards at South Melbourne Beach. BeachPatrol is a network of volunteers who are passionate about keeping Melbourne’s beaches and foreshores clear of litter to reduce the negative impact of litter on the marine environment and food chain, and provide a safe environment for the public to enjoy their local beach
30/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan join a circle during a “Fluro Friday” session run by OneWave, a local surfing community group who raise awareness for mental health and wellbeing, at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach
31/55 October 2018
The British royals kicked off their shoes and donned tropical garlands on Bondi Beach
32/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts, mats and tapa cloths at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa, Tonga
33/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand
34/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan visit Redwoods Tree Walk in Rotorua
35/55 November 2018
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey
36/55 February 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visit the Kasbah of the Udayas near the Moroccan capital Rabat
37/55 March 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan speak on stage during WE Day UK 2019 at The SSE Arena in London
38/55 March 2019
Meghan and Prince Harry react as they are presented with baby gifts by Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Janice Charette, at Canada House, during an event to mark Commonwealth Day, in central London
39/55 May 2019
A congratulatory banner message circling the BT Tower reading “Congratulations Harry and Meghan It’s a Baby Boy!”
40/55 May 2019
Footmen Stephen Kelly and Sarah Thompson set up an official notice on an easel at the gates of Buckingham Palace on May 6, announcing the birth of a son to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
41/55 May 2019
Pround parents pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle. The Duchess of Sussex gave birth at 5:26 on 6 May
42/55 May 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan walk away after posing for photographs with their newborn son
43/55 June 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan join the New York Yankees in their clubhouse and receive gifts for Archie ahead of their match against the Boston Red Sox at the London Stadium. The historic two-game series marked the sport’s first games ever played in Europe and The Invictus Games Foundation was selected as the official charity of Mitel and MLB London Series 2019
44/55 July 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan meet cast and crew, including US singer-songwriter Beyonce and her husband, US rapper Jay-Z as they attend the European premiere of the film The Lion King in London
45/55 September 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dance as they arrive for a visit to the “Justice desk”, an NGO in the township of Nyanga in Cape Town, as they begin their tour of the region. Their first official family visit in the coastal city
46/55 September 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan pose with members of “Waves For Change” NGO at Monwabisi Beach outside of Cape Town. “Waves For Change” NGO fuses surfing with child-friendly mind and body therapy to provide mental health services to vulnerable young people living in challenging communities
47/55 September 2019
The royals arrive to visit the oldest mosque of Cape Town in Dorp Street in Bo Kaap district
48/55 September 2019
The Duchess of Sussex visits Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with the Duke of Sussex during their royal tour of South Africa. Auwal Mosque is the first and oldest mosque in South Africa and for the Muslim community, this mosque symbolises the freedom of former slaves to worship
49/55 September 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan hold their baby son Archie as they meet with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah at the Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town
50/55 September 2019
The British royal couple were on a 10-day tour of southern Africa — their first official visit as a family since their son Archie was born
51/55 October 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan meet Graca Machel, widow of the late Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Duke last met with Mrs Machel during his visit to South Africa in 2015
52/55 October 2019
Meghan and Prince Harry attend a roundtable discussion on gender equality with The Queens Commonwealth Trust (QCT) and One Young World at Windsor Castle
53/55 December 2019
Prince Harry holding his son Archie. The photo was used on Instagram to wish their followers a happy new year
54/55 January 2020
Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Canada House in London after visiting to show thanks for the warm hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada
55/55 January 2020
Front page headlines, from UK daily papers, reporting on the news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, plan to step back as “senior” members of the Royal Family
1/55 September 2017
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. The Invictus Games is an international sport event for wounded, injured and sick (WIS) servicemen and women, both serving and veteran. It was created by the Duke of Sussex and aims to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding of all those who serve their country
2/55 November 2017
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace following the announcement of their engagement
3/55 November 2017
Meghan Markle shows off her engagement ring
4/55 December 2017
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene in King’s Lynn
5/55 January 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan during a visit to Reprezent 107.3FM in Pop Brixton. The Reprezent training programme was established in Peckham in 2008, in response to the alarming rise in knife crime, to help young people develop and socialise through radio
6/55 January 2018
Meghan Markle greets well-wishers on arrival at Cardiff Castle for a day showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Wales
7/55 January 2018
The couple watching a dance performance by Jukebox Collective during their to Cardiff Castle
8/55 February 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk through the corridors of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on their way to a reception for young people in Edinburgh. The reception celebrated youth achievements, marking Scotlands Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people: celebrating their achievements, strengthening their voice on social issues and creating new opportunities for them to shine
9/55 February 2018
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum in London. Under the theme ‘Making a Difference Together’, the event showcased the programmes run or initiated by The Royal Foundation
10/55 March 2018
Prince William, Kate, Meghan and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
11/55 March 2018
Meghan Markle greets well-wishers after a visit to one of Belfast’s most historic buildings, The Crown Liquor Saloon, a former Victorian gin palace, now run by the National Trust. It was the Royal couple’s first joint visit to Northern Ireland
12/55 April 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet participants as they attend the UK team trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath
13/55 May 2018
Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland arriving at Cliveden House Hotel the night before her wedding to Prince Harry
14/55 May 2018
Royal fans sing for the television in Windsor the day before the Royal wedding
15/55 May 2018
Meghan Markle walks down the aisle in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, during her wedding
16/55 May 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand facing each other hand-in-hand before Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their wedding ceremony
17/55 May 2018
Prince Harry kisses the Duchess of Sussex, as they pass through the Cambridge Gate into the grounds of Windsor Castle at the end of their carriage procession
18/55 May 2018
The newly married royals leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House
19/55 June 2018
Queen Elizabeth II sitts and laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire
20/55 June 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan return in a horse-drawn carriage after attending the Queen’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’ on Horseguards parade
21/55 July 2018
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the RAF flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, as members of the Royal Family attend events to mark the centenary of the RAF
22/55 July 2018
Meghan and Prince Harry kiss after the Sentebale Polo event that was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club
23/55 August 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet the cast and crew of “Hamilton” backstage after the gala performance in support of Sentebale at Victoria Palace Theatre
24/55 September 2018
Meghan meets 7-year-old Matilda Booth during the annual WellChild awards at Royal Lancaster Hotel in London
25/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan meet 98-year-old Daphne Dunne during a meet and greet at the Sydney Opera House during an official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand
26/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan meet a koala named Ruby and its koala joey named Meghan after the Duchess of Sussex during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney
27/55 October 2018
Prince Harry looks on as his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is hugged by student Luke Vincent of Buninyong Public School following the couple’s arrival at Dubbo Regional Airport in Dubbo
28/55 October 2018
Harry and his wife Meghan watch aboriginal dances at Victoria Park in Dubbo
29/55 October 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet with lifeguards at South Melbourne Beach. BeachPatrol is a network of volunteers who are passionate about keeping Melbourne’s beaches and foreshores clear of litter to reduce the negative impact of litter on the marine environment and food chain, and provide a safe environment for the public to enjoy their local beach
30/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan join a circle during a “Fluro Friday” session run by OneWave, a local surfing community group who raise awareness for mental health and wellbeing, at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach
31/55 October 2018
The British royals kicked off their shoes and donned tropical garlands on Bondi Beach
32/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts, mats and tapa cloths at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa, Tonga
33/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand
34/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan visit Redwoods Tree Walk in Rotorua
35/55 November 2018
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey
36/55 February 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visit the Kasbah of the Udayas near the Moroccan capital Rabat
37/55 March 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan speak on stage during WE Day UK 2019 at The SSE Arena in London
38/55 March 2019
Meghan and Prince Harry react as they are presented with baby gifts by Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Janice Charette, at Canada House, during an event to mark Commonwealth Day, in central London
39/55 May 2019
A congratulatory banner message circling the BT Tower reading “Congratulations Harry and Meghan It’s a Baby Boy!”
40/55 May 2019
Footmen Stephen Kelly and Sarah Thompson set up an official notice on an easel at the gates of Buckingham Palace on May 6, announcing the birth of a son to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
41/55 May 2019
Pround parents pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle. The Duchess of Sussex gave birth at 5:26 on 6 May
42/55 May 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan walk away after posing for photographs with their newborn son
43/55 June 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan join the New York Yankees in their clubhouse and receive gifts for Archie ahead of their match against the Boston Red Sox at the London Stadium. The historic two-game series marked the sport’s first games ever played in Europe and The Invictus Games Foundation was selected as the official charity of Mitel and MLB London Series 2019
44/55 July 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan meet cast and crew, including US singer-songwriter Beyonce and her husband, US rapper Jay-Z as they attend the European premiere of the film The Lion King in London
45/55 September 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dance as they arrive for a visit to the “Justice desk”, an NGO in the township of Nyanga in Cape Town, as they begin their tour of the region. Their first official family visit in the coastal city
46/55 September 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan pose with members of “Waves For Change” NGO at Monwabisi Beach outside of Cape Town. “Waves For Change” NGO fuses surfing with child-friendly mind and body therapy to provide mental health services to vulnerable young people living in challenging communities
47/55 September 2019
The royals arrive to visit the oldest mosque of Cape Town in Dorp Street in Bo Kaap district
48/55 September 2019
The Duchess of Sussex visits Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with the Duke of Sussex during their royal tour of South Africa. Auwal Mosque is the first and oldest mosque in South Africa and for the Muslim community, this mosque symbolises the freedom of former slaves to worship
49/55 September 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan hold their baby son Archie as they meet with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah at the Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town
50/55 September 2019
The British royal couple were on a 10-day tour of southern Africa — their first official visit as a family since their son Archie was born
51/55 October 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan meet Graca Machel, widow of the late Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Duke last met with Mrs Machel during his visit to South Africa in 2015
52/55 October 2019
Meghan and Prince Harry attend a roundtable discussion on gender equality with The Queens Commonwealth Trust (QCT) and One Young World at Windsor Castle
53/55 December 2019
Prince Harry holding his son Archie. The photo was used on Instagram to wish their followers a happy new year
54/55 January 2020
Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Canada House in London after visiting to show thanks for the warm hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada
55/55 January 2020
Front page headlines, from UK daily papers, reporting on the news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, plan to step back as “senior” members of the Royal Family
Campaigners behind an online petition calling on the royal couple to pay their own costs said they had gathered at least 90,000 signatures. The petition, addressed to Mr Trudeau, reads: Canadians wish the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, all the best as they seek financial independence. That goal is important because Canadian taxpayers shouldnt have to cover the couples bills.
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Aaron Wudrick, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, a campaign group dedicated to lower taxes, less waste and accountable government told The Independent there was no personal animosity aimed at the royal couple, who are living in the town of North Saanich, 20 miles north of Victoria, the largest town on Vancouver Island.
In the last two weeks I received lots of phone calls from people saying the couple were welcome here, but that they did not want to pay for them, said Mr Wudrick. 
I think in recent weeks, that feeling has become more clear. Canada is a welcoming country, but some people excited they are here are viewing them as wealthy celebrities, rather than official members of the royal family where there is a protocol.
MeghanMarkles father accuses daughter of quitting royal family for money
He added: They are coming here because they want to leave the royal family, but part of that is paying their own bills.
Earlier month, the Globe and Mail quoted security experts who suggested the annual cost of protecting Harry, Meghan and their eight-month-old son Archie, could reach C$10m (£5.8m).
The point made in Mr Wudrichs petition, first reported by the New York Post, was echoed by many residents in the part of Vancouver Island where the royal couple are living. While having offered them a warm welcome, and even helping them avoid media scrutiny, there is a view Canadians should not pay.
I think the point is, they are either private citizens or members of the royal family, said Bruce Welsh, 70, a former musician and radio show host in Sidney. If they are private citizens, they should not need security guards. Either way, Canada should not be paying.
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Mena Brash, a retired political scientist who was having coffee in the Georgia Cafe on Thursday morning, said Mr Trudeau would be required to study what laws existed. 
If theres an agreement in place, we will have to pay it. A petition will not make any difference, she said.
Michael Phillips, 73, who moved to Canada from Britain three decades ago, described himself as an arch anti-royalist. He said he thought the media should leave the couple in peace, but said Canadians should not bear the cost of that privacy.
Canadians should not pay a single cent, he said. The royal family should be disbanded and they should all be allowed to live their own lives.