Harry and Meghan's Canada stay cost citizens more than $60k in security, taxpayer group reveals

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's security during part of their time in Canada cost citizens at least $AUD60,000, a taxpayers advocacy group has revealed.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle flew to British Columbia in November 2019, initially for a six-week break from royal duties. They remained in Canada after announcing their plan to step back as working royals in January, eventually relocating to Los Angeles in March.

Now, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation has obtained documents regarding their security costs via a freedom of information request to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

They revealed that between November 18, 2019 and January 19, 2020 — around half the time the family was in Canada — accommodation, overtime, travel, meals and "incidentals" for their police protection cost more than $CA56,000 (roughly $AUD60,000).

This sum did not include the salaries of the officers guarding Harry, Meghan and their son Archie while the family stayed on a waterfront mansion on Vancouver Island.

"For months, the Trudeau government refused to even acknowledge Canadian taxpayers were on the hook for Harry and Meghan's security costs," Aaron Wudrick, the CTF's federal director, is reported to have said in a statement.

"Now we know the answer is yes — to the tune of at least $50,000."

The documents also confirmed Harry and Meghan's Canadian security costs continued until March 14, when they moved to the United States, where they remain in lockdown.

In January, tens of thousands of Canadians signed a petition demanding the royal couple cover their own security costs during their time in the country, rather than seeking public funds.

At the time, Buckingham Palace said it did not "comment on the details of security arrangements."

"There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly-funded security," a palace statement read.