A majority of Canadians don’t want to pay for the security fees of Prince Harry and Meghan while they live in Canada.
According to a poll by the Angus Reid Institute 73% of respondents claimed that taxpayers should not pay for any of the costs and that the royals should cover it themselves.
“The latest public opinion survey from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds that the prince’s personal popularity does not extend to great enthusiasm over the royal couple’s expected relocation,” wrote the Angus Reid Institute.
Among those polled, 19% said that they would be willing to pay for “some of the costs” while only 3% believed Canada was obliged to play all necessary costs.
After a report surfaced claiming that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered to foot the bill for the royals, Trudeau has been pressed to clarify what kind of arrangement would be made and how much it would cost.
According to security experts, security services for Prince Harry and his family’s could cost taxpayers over $10 million annually.
“They need personal body guards all the time. You have to pay those peoples’ salaries. You’ve got to pay for the vehicles they travel in and the aircraft they travel in. You have to pay for the communications equipment they require because it has to be sophisticated so that you can’t listen to it,” said former RCMP intelligence operative Chris Mathers.
Trudeau told reporters recently that there were still “lots of discussions” to be had with the royals regarding their permanent residence in Canada.
“I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have,” said Trudeau.
Harry and Meghan officially announced that they would be stepping back from their senior duties to live more “financially independent” and “progressive” lives on their official Instagram account.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen,” wrote a statement.
