Harry and Meghan ‘still using Met Police officers for security’

Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle declared they were stepping down as senior royals, a row has broken out about who will pay for their security.

This week, as the pair moved from Canada to California with baby Archie, they insisted they would be footing the bill themselves.

But today a report came out in The Mirror which says they will still be served by several Met Police officers – and the UK taxpayer is still paying for that.

Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan post final Instagram message as Sussex Royal

US President Donald Trump tweeted two days ago: “The US will not pay for their security protection. They must pay!”

Meanwhile, the pair have posted their final message on Instagram as Sussex Royal, thanking fans and referring to the world in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic as “extraordinarily fragile”.

View this post on Instagram

As we can all feel, the world at this moment seems extraordinarily fragile. Yet we are confident that every human being has the potential and opportunity to make a difference—as seen now across the globe, in our families, our communities and those on the front line—together we can lift each other up to realise the fullness of that promise. What’s most important right now is the health and wellbeing of everyone across the globe and finding solutions for the many issues that have presented themselves as a result of this pandemic. As we all find the part we are to play in this global shift and changing of habits, we are focusing this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute. While you may not see us here, the work continues. Thank you to this community – for the support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to the good in the world. We look forward to reconnecting with you soon. You’ve been great! Until then, please take good care of yourselves, and of one another. Harry and Meghan

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Mar 30, 2020 at 9:17am PDT

‘Take care of yourselves’

They said in the message they are “focusing on this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute”, and stressed that they would be working behind the scenes even if they were not in public.

“Thank you to this community – for the support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to good in the world. We look forward to connecting with you soon,” the message went on.

“You’ve been great! Until then, please take good care of yourselves, and of one another.”

Read more: Meghan and Prince Harry ‘set up permanent home in California after leaving Canada’

The Met is allegedly struggling to put together a long-term team to work with Harry and Meghan in their new role outside the Royal Family.

Sources told The Mirror there has been “little to no willingness” among protection officers to work for the couple.

One said: “These jobs are the creme-de-la-creme of being a protection officer. Yet, right now, it’s not looking like an attractive prospect to anyone.

“No one wants to move their family between multiple countries. No one is clear what the plan is or where they will be based in the medium to long term.”

Security officers could cost £800 each per day, with a team of 10 working at any one time. US security officers are currently being vetted by the Met to take on the role.

Do you think it is fair that we should still be paying for security for Harry and Meghan? Go to our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyfix and leave a comment to let us know your views.