Australian taxpayers will be forced to foot part of the bill for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s upcoming trip despite tens of thousands calling for it to be privately funded. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel Down Under later this month for a series of “private, business and philanthropic engagements”. Over 35,000 people signed a petition urging ministers to take a clear position on funding for the trip – ensuring public cash isn’t spent on security details, transport arrangements or any other costs generated during the visit.
A spokesperson for the couple insisted the issue was a “moot point” because the trip was being “funded privately”. But police forces in Victoria and New South Wales confirmed on Friday that they would conduct operations to “ensure public safety is maintained” during Harry and Meghan’s visit, including “additional security measures throughout their stay”.
A spokesperson for the New South Wales Police Force told the Daily Mail: “[We] will conduct an operation to ensure public safety is maintained during the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
“The operation will require some additional security measures throughout their stay in New South Wales, while minimising any disruption to the community.”
Victoria Police declined to comment on security details of the couple’s visit, but acknowledged that “two high-profile people are visiting Melbourne in a private capacity in April”.
A spokesperson added: “Police routinely assess events and visits and will deploy resources as necessary to ensure community safety.”
Although Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties when they moved to the US in 2020, their upcoming trip bears a resemblance to the royal tours they embarked on while still part of the firm.
Their schedule will reportedly include visits to a children’s hospital and appearances at events focusing on veterans and mental health.
Meghan has also been billed as the star of an three-day luxury retreat in Sydney described as the “ultimate girls’ weekend”, which is due to run between April 17 and April 19.
The last time Harry and Meghan touched down in Australia was seven years ago, acting in their capacity as fully-credentialled members of the working royal family, with a protection detail shadowing them at every engagement.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
