Newly Released Records Reveal Prince Harry’s Security Costs Soared During Meghan Markle Romance
Newly published records from Canada have revealed that Prince Harry received the highest taxpayer funded security protection of any visiting dignitary during the early years of his relationship with Meghan Markle, drawing fresh attention to the enormous costs associated with the Duke’s visits.
The figures were released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after years of efforts by Canada’s national broadcaster, CBC, to obtain the information through freedom of information requests. The documents provide a detailed account of security expenses connected to Prince Harry and Meghan over a five-year period.
According to the newly disclosed records, the protection provided to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cost Canadian taxpayers approximately £286,686 between April 2015 and March 2020. The figures have renewed debate about the financial burden associated with royal security arrangements.
Reports indicate that the amount represented more than ten percent of the £2.66 million spent protecting around one hundred visiting royals, diplomats, world leaders, and members of their families during the same period. Prince Harry’s security expenses were considerably higher than those of many other prominent visitors.
The records showed that the largest annual bill was recorded during the 2017–18 financial year. During that period, the total cost of security measures linked to the Duke of Sussex reportedly reached £193,723.
That year proved to be particularly significant because Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle while she was living in Toronto. At the time, the future Duchess of Sussex was completing work on the final season of the television series Suits.
The figures also shed light on the previous year, when Prince Harry and Meghan quietly began their relationship away from the public spotlight. During that period, the reported security expenses amounted to £56,221.
According to the documents, Prince Harry made several private visits to Canada as the relationship developed. Reports suggest that he regularly traveled to Toronto to spend time with Meghan while attempting to maintain a low public profile.
Meghan later spoke publicly about the early days of their relationship and recalled how they were able to enjoy several months away from intense public attention. She described that period of privacy as a particularly meaningful time in their lives.
The newly released information indicates that a substantial portion of the overall security costs was connected to Prince Harry’s repeated visits to Toronto. During those trips, he frequently stayed at Meghan’s residence before news of their engagement became public.
The figures also attracted attention because of the contrast with the costs associated with other members of the Royal Family. During King Charles’ 2017 visit to Ontario and Quebec with Queen Camilla, security expenses linked to the Duchess of Cornwall reportedly totaled £94,859.
In addition, the records contained a separate entry related specifically to Meghan Markle. The documents listed approximately £5,642 in security costs during the 2018–19 financial year.
According to reports from CBC, those expenses are believed to be connected to a private visit Meghan made to Toronto in August 2018. During the trip, she reportedly spent time with her close friend Jessica Mulroney.
The newly disclosed figures have once again highlighted the extraordinary level of attention and security surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the early years of their relationship. Even years later, the details continue to attract significant public interest.
