Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ordered to pay for own security as thousands sign petition
MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry have been targeted by an online petition that aims to stop UK taxpayers from footing the bill for their security costs - which is estimated to be £20million a year.
Meghan Markle and Harry: Ken Wharfe discusses security costs
The appeal, launched on Care2 Petitions, has already reached over 16,000 signatures. The petition objects to UK taxpayers funding the security costs of Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and baby Archie and said the bill is “their own responsibility”. It comes after the Canadian government announced it will stop protecting the couple from the end of the month, in keeping with their “change in status”.
The petition, launched anonymously, brands the expectation that UK taxpayers have to pay for the Sussexes security as “undemocratic”.
It reads: “They have made their choice to step back from Royal duties, and to live abroad and travel globally to achieve financial independence.
“It is, therefore, their own responsibility to provide their own security, not the responsibility of the UK tax payers.
“Therefore, we the undersigned object to paying for Harry, Meghan and their son’s global security costs, and to stop the UK Parliament - House of Commons and the House of Lords, from making any contribution towards them.”
The petition has already reached support from 16,789 people, as Britons furiously took to the comments to urge the Government to commit to not paying their security costs.
One person said: “‘Call me Harry’ and his wife have elected to leave royal duty and become private citizens.
“Fine by me - but that means they can fund private security through their own money.
“I don’t have a member of plod around to guard my wallet, carry my shopping for me and clean my bog - and I am at least a taxpaying contributor to society!”
JUST IN: Queen fury: Monarch tells Harry he can’t ‘cash in’ on royal status
Another person said: “There is no reason why their personal security costs should not be paid from their private income.
“They made this choice and need to finance their costs themselves.”
Others suggested the fee, which is expected to cost £20million annually, could be better spent elsewhere.
One person said: “As a tax payer I, like lots of other people, would like my taxes to go towards well deserving causes, i.e. NHS, education, that will help a lot of people in need, not to a couple who already lead a life of luxury.”
DON'T MISS:
The Baby Archie milestone Meghan Markle and Harry to miss while in UK [INSIGHT]
Royal SNUB: Reason Kate Middleton WON’T meet Meghan Markle [DEVELOPED]
Meghan Markle's trip to UK without Archie will be a 'real headache' [COMMENT]
Another said: “At a time where there aren’t enough police on our streets why should money be redirected to fund personal protection for ‘private citizens’ abroad rather than tax payers here?
“Do other multi-millionaires (e.g Beckhams, Clooneys, Ecclestones) expect the same? I very much doubt it.
“Sorry folks but time to fund your own lifestyles - including your security.”
A third wrote: “We need all our money for NHS they are rich and can afford security themselves.”
Last month, the Canadian Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced the country will stop providing for the Sussexes’ protection at the end of March, when they step back as senior royals.
The Government, Buckingham Palace or the Sussexes haven’t commented so far on who is expected to step in and pay for it in turn.