Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Vancouver Island in November 2019, the government of Canada has been paying for their security, officials told CBC News. However, the Canadian government intends to end the patronage of the couple as soon as possible. As soon as the couple relinquishes their official obligations and separates from BCS, the spouses themselves will bear responsibility for their own safety, already as individuals.
By agreement of the Sussex and the British government, the couple will completely relinquish their status and functions as full members of the royal family on March 31. So as of April 1, Canada is set to cut funding, as Public Security Canada spokesman Bill Blair told CBC News this Thursday. The statement clarified: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who decided to temporarily move to Canada, presented our government in all respects a unique and unprecedented experience."
Since the royal guests are recognized as internationally protected persons, from the very beginning of their stay in the country, the Royal Canadian Police worked closely with the British government. "These functions will cease in a few weeks due to a change in the status of the couple," but so far Buckingham Palace has not specified whether it is going to bear the costs of this item, or Megan and Harry will need to resolve issues of the safety of their family on their own.
If the Sussex people have to bear the costs of protecting themselves and their son, they can console themselves that this is not the first such precedent. The Duke of York, whose daughters, Eugenie and Beatrice, are pursuing their careers outside of the duties of BCS members, pays for their security himself.
Meanwhile, royal observers are confident that the decision of the Canadian authorities and the subsequent statement is another reminder of the Sussex that their stay in the country has been greatly delayed. The inhabitants of Canada initially did not feel very enthusiastic about the relocation of the grandson and daughter-in-law of the reigning Queen, and there are several reasons for this.
As expected, the first on the agenda was the question concerning the maintenance of the royal couple - the majority of local residents did not want their taxes to go to ensure the standard of living familiar to the Sussex, and also feared an increase in the rate due to the couple's move. However, the most acute was the cause of a political nature. Canada is part of the British Commonwealth, which means that the nominally reigning monarch there is Elizabeth II. At the same time, the Canadian monarchy can be called “virtual” - the Queen does not live in the country and does not actually rule it. In addition, relations between Canada and Britain are officially designated (and this is confirmed by the corresponding document from 1931) as "the commonwealth of equal and independent nations." But due to the move of members of the ruling royal family to Canada, the balance between the countries is upset in favor of Britain,thereby belittling her ally.
Observers do not rule out that in the foreseeable future, Their Highnesses will have to find another place of residence - most likely, it will be Los Angeles or Miami, where the prince recently made a noise speech at the investment summit (read also: Prince Harry tries to cash in on Diana's death). But the Sussex people will definitely not return to Foggy Albion, at least in the near future - except that they are determined to prove their independence, after an open and very daring attack on the Queen, the couple are unlikely to be expected in the palace with open arms (see also: How to insult the Queen and all of Britain: a visual instruction from the Sussex).
Photo source: Getty Images
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