The Reason Harry And Meghan Aren't Fazed By Trump's Security Cost Claims
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly moved to Los Angeles from Canada in March 2020, a development that inspired a very pointed tweet from President Donald Trump about the cost of their security. "It was reported that Harry and Meghan, who left the Kingdom, would reside permanently in Canada. Now they have left Canada for the U.S. however, the U.S. will not pay for their security protection," he tweeted. "They must pay!"
Although it's not the most welcoming tweet ever, some might argue Trump raised a fair point. With Meghan and Harry stepping down as members of the royal family on March 31, 2020, as their spokesperson confirmed, the cost of their security must fall to someone, and no political leader is necessarily obligated to shoulder the financial burden.
Had they remained working members of the royal family, the Home Office, part of Her Majesty's Government, would have covered their security bill, but since the couple has chosen to step down, that's no longer the United Kingdom's responsibility, according to the Sovereign Grant Act. And when Meghan and Harry moved to Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police provided protection, a service that ended March 31, according to CBC News.
Despite all the drama surrounding the situation, Harry and Meghan aren't fazed by Trump's security cost claims due to a very logical reason.
Did Trump cause drama for nothing?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex probably aren't bothered by President Donald Trump's tweet because they have the funds to cover their security costs, and this dough will likely come from their sizable net worths. Meghan Markle, for instance, is reportedly worth $5 million thanks to her acting career and other projects, while Prince Harry supposedly has $25 million in the bank. Not only does the dad benefit from a trust Princess Diana set up, but he also earned money during his time in the army, according to the Daily Mail. The Queen also left an inheritance and some of her jewels to the royal, and it's rumored Prince Charles will provide the couple "private financial support" for a year, per People.
These figures appear to back up a statement from the couple's rep regarding Trump's security claim, which makes this whole drama seem very silly. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have no plans to ask the U.S. government for security resources," they told Fox News. "Privately funded security arrangements have been made."
Your move, Trump.
Reactions to Trump's tweet were mixed
It's fair to argue Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been plagued by negativity ever since 2016 when they became a couple. President Donald Trump's recent tweet and the subsequent comments to his claim revealed that, sadly, little has changed.
"The same Meghan [Markle] that said she would leave the US if Trump was elected is the same girl that now wants our President Trump to sign off on making the taxpayers pay for her security bill?" one person tweeted. "Bye girl." Someone else commented, "Mr. President is right The US should NOT have to pay for these freeloaders. Well done!!"
However, there isn't any public evidence that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex planned on asking for support. It's also reasonable to point out the odd timing of Trump's ire, as one person noted on Twitter, "Trump tweeting about Meghan Markle and her husband like we're not in a pandemic?? Like what??" Another fan chimed in, "You're welcome in California."
The final word on this spat? We don't think it will be resolved anytime soon.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are too busy for nonsense
Although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have money of their own, their cost of living will be very expensive, especially where it concerns private security. It's possible "day-to-day security for a year could cost $1 million," including "$570,000 for residential security, $245,000 for a driver, and $150,000 for an advance agent," per Town & Country. However, CBC News estimates the cost of their private security could be anywhere between "$10 to $30 million a year." Yikes! Of course, those figures are based on speculation.
Security costs aside, it's clear the couple will be busy with their various projects. Together, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will "launch a non-profit organization for their charitable activities in areas including youth empowerment, mental health, conservation, gender equality, and education," while "Harry will also continue to oversee the Invictus Games, the Olympics-style competition he founded for wounded troops," as TIME noted. Markle also has a new job with Disney, working as the narrator for the documentary Elephant.
Translation: It's an exciting new chapter for Meghan and Harry, and it's probably safe to say they're too busy to be fazed by President Donald Trump's nonsense.