Full breakdown of Harry and Meghan's '£3m security bill' as King Charles delivers brutal response
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in for an expensive return to the UK as King Charles makes it clear that they are still ‘no longer working Members of The Royal Family’.
Without certain privileges like around-the-clock security, the Duke and Duchess will have to fork out around £3 million a year following their move to a non-royal residence in the Cotswolds, according to security expert Will Geddes (@therealwillgeddes).
With over 30 years experience in the Specialist Security sector, Will has consulted clients across the world on risk and threat related matters, personally operating with hostile countries across the world.
Geddes tells LADbible that their reported 83 acre plot in the Cotswolds will need ‘perimeter defense and protection’, which are going to be ‘massively costly’.
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“The Cotswolds has turned into a bit of an enclave for the rich and famous. By direct proxy of that, it will in itself attract problems. Criminals will see opportunity, particularly for big houses that may be left unattended, that they can break in, steal stuff, that sort of thing,” he said.
“Then you’ve got even more serious gangs that will think, ‘Great, here’s an opportunity to break in whilst the occupants are there, steal their jewellery, get them to open up their safe’.”
Full breakdown of Harry and Meghan's potential security needs
Home security: Around £1 million per year to protect the 83-acre estate.
Total security bill: Up to approximately £3 million per year for comprehensive protection.
Residential security team: At least two officers on duty at a time, with rotating teams providing 24/7 coverage.
Personal protection: A minimum of two close-protection officers for each adult when Harry and Meghan travel separately.
Children’s protection: Security drivers and close-protection officers for school drop-offs, collections and outings.
School security: An assessment of the school’s existing arrangements, liaison with its security staff and officers stationed outside if required.
Perimeter protection: Security covering the estate’s extensive grounds and boundary.
Surveillance technology: CCTV, alarms, intrusion-detection equipment, radar, night-vision systems and drones fitted with heat-sensing cameras.
Secure travel: Security-trained drivers, vehicles, advance planning and protection during public appearances.
Additional expenses: Travel, accommodation and food for officers accompanying the family.
International trips: Extra staffing and expenses when the family travels overseas.
Archie and Lilibet will need security at school
Prince Archie of Sussex, seven, and Princess Lilibet of Sussex, five, are also expected to require protection while travelling to and from school.
Geddes said security drivers could handle drop-offs and collections, while officers would normally remain outside the school rather than accompany the children throughout the day.
The team would assess the school’s existing protection, identify possible weaknesses and add extra precautions where necessary. Geddes said the officers should remain discreet to avoid disrupting family life or drawing unnecessary attention at the school gates.
“During the school run, they will probably need to have at least a couple of extra close-protection officers,” Geddes said.
“It may be down to the security drivers to collect the children and to drop them off in the morning.
“The key thing is the selection of the right team to make sure that they’re low-key enough to signal that they are security, but not shove it in all the other parents’ faces, because you won’t make any friends at the school gates if she does.”
The danger if Meghan asks her security to grab her a coffee from Starbucks
“You have to be very cautious about being too amenable to the client’s requests. You can never forget what you’re there to do,” Geddes explains.
“If one of the security guys is asked to go and pick up a loaf of bread from Bamford’s, that is not what he’s there to do. He’s there to protect; he’s not there to run errands. Get an intern, get a junior assistant to do that sort of ****. But that’s where problems happen—where the security team are way too amenable.
“Again, that comes down to experience and, very importantly, the management. If the management of that team isn’t done by proper people who know what they’re talking about, then it can all fall apart. It can just be window dressing and nothing much more.
“You don’t create risk corridors or windows within your coverage because you’re too far away. You might lose your job because you didn’t go and pick up your choco-mocha cappuccino from Starbucks, you know what I mean?”
King Charles' letter to Harry and Meghan in full
“Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the UK, we have received a number of requests for guidance. To help avoid doubt or confusion, The King has directed that the following information be shared.
“It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of The Sovereign, and are no longer working Members of The Royal Family.
“This position, distinct from the State and Royal duties undertaken by the working Royal Family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected.
“It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.
“The charitable work of the duke and duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity.
“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
A spokesperson for the Harry and Meghan told the Daily Mail: "We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance."
Topics: UK News, Royal Family, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, King Charles III
Anish Vij