Canada announces it'll be cutting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's publicly funded security

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to settle into their new, more private lives, the Canadian government has just dropped another bomb on the duo.

Now, as well as giving up their HRH titles for work purposes and abandoning official appointments and patronages – including Harry's military roles – the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will have their publicly funded security cut in the "coming weeks," after deciding to step down as senior members of the royal family.

Canadian fans of the monarchy were initially left outraged when it was revealed on the couple's website their security should still be funded by taxpayers because of their status as "internationally protected people."

The Sussexes website stated: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are classified as internationally protected people which mandates this level of security."

The Canadian government traditionally covers the costs of police protection when world leaders and royals visit the country and have been doing so "intermittently" since the couple and their son, Archie, moved into a $14 million mansion on Vancouver Island in November.

But as the pair step back from their roles as senior royals, Canada's Public Safety Minister said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will stop paying for their security.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex choosing to relocate to Canada on a part-time basis presented our government with a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances," the Office of Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said in a statement.

READ MORE:
• Prince Harry and Jon Bon Jovi recreate The Beatles' famous Abbey Road crossing photo
• The Queen has banned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from using 'Sussex Royal' name

"The (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) has been engaged with officials in the UK from the very beginning regarding security. As the Duke and Duchess are currently recognised as Internationally Protected Persons, Canada has an obligation to provide security assistance on an as-needed basis."

However, the security assistance will "cease in the coming weeks, in keeping with their change in status," the statement added.

The government's announcement is likely to be cheered by Canadians, who were strongly opposed to being on the hook for Harry and Meghan's security.

A survey by the Leger polling firm last month revealed nearly 70 per cent of Canadians said that it was the couple who should be responsible for covering the security costs.

Currently, it is believed the cost of security for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - which is met by Scotland Yard’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command - is around £20 million a year.

Harry returned to the United Kingdom last week for his final round of official royal engagements before he and wife Meghan Markle officially step down as senior working royals on March 31.