Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been accused of being “arrogant” for assuming they would maintain royal security after their flight from the UK – costing taxpayers an estimated $ 5.5 million a year, according to the former top royal agent.
“It shows you their naivety and sense of justice,” retired Superintendent Dai Davies, who headed the British royalty protection unit, told the Daily Mail.
“It was just arrogant to assume that they and their baby would be protected.”
The couple both complained in their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview about the loss of their royal security detail, with Harry saying it was “short notice” and that is why they rushed their move from Canada to California after Tyler Perry and his mansion had security. offered.
But the astronomical cost of security was one of the first points of contention days after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were leaving their royal duties – especially after boasting that they would be “ financially independent. ”
It also sparked diplomatic spats, with Canadians outraged at the expectation that they would also pay millions for it – and President Donald Trump remained adamant that the US would not help if the Sussexes moved to California.
Davies said he was “stunned” that the couple expected taxpayers to continue to pay.
“It was completely unrealistic to think that their royal patronage team could continue to work in America – in fact it would [police] lives in danger, ”he said.
He noted that the UK police should only protect US royalties as part of a ‘reciprocal agreement’ for ‘occasions such as official state visits’.
But British officers could not continue to work there, unable to carry firearms and without access to integrated intelligence from the security forces, he said. “It was unworkable.”
The concerns already rife in Canada – where the government said it would no longer assist with security “in accordance with their change in status” – then intensified when the Sussexes moved to California, famed bodyguard Russell Stuart told the United States. Mail.
‘This is America. We’re a gun owner country… California is a much bigger place, it’s more dangerous, ”the former California State Guard officer told the outlet.
“You have a lot more potential threats than in Vancouver.”