Despite prior assurances that no taxpayer money would be used for the security of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex once they ceased to be working royals, Canada ended up covering police expenses during their visit to the Invictus Games. According to reports from a private news outlet, Vancouver police incurred C$44,555 (£25,436) in overtime costs related to security during the couple’s brief stay in the city in February.
The 390.5 hours of police overtime were not specifically allocated for Prince Harry and Meghan’s protection. Instead, the presence of additional officers was intended to ensure public safety near Invictus Games events, especially in light of unrelated protests occurring in the city at the time. The protests included rallies supporting Palestinians and Sikh independence.
A representative for the Invictus Games confirmed that the Sussexes’ personal security during their visit was financed by private donors, not the Canadian government. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had visited Vancouver and Whistler for three days in February to promote the “one year to go” event for the upcoming winter games.
Of the total C$44,555 spent on security, the Invictus Games organization contributed $10,221 through cost recovery, leaving Canadian taxpayers with a bill of $34,333 for police overtime. These figures were disclosed following a freedom of information request submitted by a private news outlet.
A spokesperson for the Vancouver police department clarified the situation, stating, “We didn’t specifically provide security for them, but we had officers in the area they were in, in case any issues arose due to the ongoing protests in the city.”
Doug Maynard, Director of Security for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, emphasized that taxpayers did not bear the cost of the Duke and Duchess’s personal security. “Their private security detail was funded by individual donations specifically directed for that purpose,” he stated. “Public safety was ensured by Vancouver police resources in the area to address any potential issues related to the protests.”
This incident comes after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed in 2020 that they would no longer cover the security costs for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their departure from the working Royal Family. After leaving the UK, the couple spent time on Vancouver Island before eventually moving to California, where they initially stayed at the home of actor Tyler Perry before purchasing a residence in Montecito.
In 2021, a private news outlet revealed that the Sussexes’ visits to Canada had cost taxpayers more than $334,000 over a span of less than four years.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry remains embroiled in a legal battle in the UK over his security arrangements. He contends that it is unsafe to bring his wife and children back to his homeland due to security concerns. After a failed attempt to overturn a Home Office decision denying him automatic police protection, Prince Harry is now appealing the ruling. While he still receives security from specialized Met Police officers during public duties, including family events, he is required to provide 28 days’ notice of his plans.
In a recent television interview regarding tabloid phone hacking, Prince Harry expressed his reluctance to bring his wife back to the UK, citing “genuine concerns” about her safety. “All it takes is for one lone actor who reads this stuff to act on what they’ve read,” he said. “And whether it’s a knife or acid, these are things that are genuine concerns for me. It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”
