Royal police face security headache as Meghan Markle leaves Archie in Canada while she flies back to Britain

0
271

ROYAL police are facing a security headache when the Duchess of Sussex leaves baby Archie in Canada to fly to Britain this week.

Officers will have to divvy up roles to guard Meghan in London and her son in Vancouver.

Meghan Markle’s plan to leave baby Archie behind while she heads to the UK has presented a problem for security officers

Already-stretched officers will now have to divvy up roles to ensure the security of both Meghan in London and Archie back in Vancouver

The decision to leave the nine-month-old behind is likely to add up to £50,000 to the runaway royals’ ever-mounting security bill.

It will also disappoint the Queen and other senior royals who have not seen the baby for 14 weeks.

A royal insider said: “Meghan’s London jaunt is proving a real headache.

“It’s an expensive time just when the costs of looking after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are under scrutiny.”

Last week, Canadian police said they would stop assisting with security when the couple stepped down as working royals on March 31.

It means Harry and Meghan’s £20million-a-year security bill looks to fall squarely on the taxpayer-funded Met Police.

‘COLOSSAL CHALLENGES’

The couple’s team of about six royal protection officers cost taxpayers £600,000. This goes on salaries, overtime, overseas allowance, pensions, flights and accommodation.

Costs will rise greatly when the couple are permanently abroad.

An internal memo predicts the couple will need at least 12 officers to cover them on trips, which are often made apart.

Our source said: “Next week will demonstrate the colossal challenges and sums involved when Harry and Meghan are in London needing security just as much as Archie.

“It’s as much as another £50,000 to what’s already being run up. But none of that will matter to senior royals who are despondent at not seeing the baby for so long.”

Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, believe they are legally entitled to year-round police protection and appear unwilling to pay for it.

The couple’s final official engagement is expected to be Commonwealth Day with the Queen at Westminster Abbey on March 9.

A spokeswoman said: “We don’t comment on their schedule.”

It’s predicted the couple will need at least 12 officers to cover them on trips, which are often made apart

The decision to leave him behind could add up to £50,000 to Harry and Meghan’s already stretched Royal security bill