Canadian taxpayers incurred over $539,000 in security costs for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle between April 2015 and March 2020, according to figures released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Prince Harry accounted for the largest portion of this spending, which was the highest security bill for any VIP visiting Canada during that five-year period.
During the 12 months leading up to their engagement in 2017-18, Prince Harry's security costs reached $365,000. In the 2016-17 fiscal year, when their relationship began, the expense was $106,000. The total security expenditure for the couple during the five-year span was $539,000, which represents more than 10 percent of the approximately $5 million spent on safeguarding around 100 visiting royals, politicians, and diplomats.
Records also indicate that Canadian taxpayers may have covered a $10,586 bill for RCMP protection during a three-day private trip Meghan Markle took to Toronto in August 2018 with her friend Jessica Mulroney. This was reportedly her only visit to Canada that financial year.
The security costs for the Sussexes in Canada dropped significantly in subsequent years, totaling $866 in 2018-19 and $904 in 2019-20, as they spent more time in the UK. However, a figure of $56,405 was recorded for 2019-20, coinciding with their temporary move to Vancouver after stepping back from royal duties in January 2020, before relocating to California.
Prince Harry, who has strong ties to Canada through the Royal Family and the Invictus Games, made several trips to Toronto starting in 2016, often staying at Meghan Markle's residence while she was filming the television series "Suits." The couple's relationship was kept private for approximately six months during this period.
Compared to other high-profile visitors, the security bill for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exceeded that of former U.S. presidents and their families, which collectively amounted to $497,544 over the same period. Security for Barack and Michelle Obama cost $295,411, while Bill and Hillary Clinton's protection totaled $143,927. The Trump family incurred $51,558 in 2016-17, $13,078 in 2017-18, and $1,769 in 2018-19.
These financial records were obtained following a six-year freedom of information battle by CBC, Canada's public broadcaster. An intervention by Canada's Information Commissioner, Caroline Maynard, led to the release of the documents this week, which were initially requested in January 2020.