Harry and Meghan what they’ll do next

[PelicanPie]

Let’s strive to keep on topic and not engage with posts designed to disrupt.

7 It’s going nothing to do with the H&M part of HAM hamming it up for the cameras and publicity, absolutely not.

I can’t really see them stopping here (west coast of Canada) long enough to find Canadian security. I’ll be surprised if they haven’t moved to LA or Toronto soonish, my bet being on LA.

in their "declaration of independence"

Slow down with the zingers, I'm still laughing at HAM

Rita you're not missing anything.

You're pretty much hitting the crux of the issue which is that what H&M state their aims are is not reflected in their demands or actions.

There's a huge disconnect, which is principally what has drawn people to this thread because there's a strong sense of being treated as taxpaying fools by 2 wealthy people who are making Marie Antoine's royal entitlement look positively benign and humble.

There was a very good post about why it has to be the Met's trained officers on the thread. They are recognised internationally so able to work across borders, carry weapons from one country to another etc. Private firms can't smoothly operate in that way. Plus my own memory is of it being also a loyalty issue - British protection officers have significant background checks to ensure they are fully loyal to the UK monarchy and will always put its interests first. Can't count on that with other nations' officers.

The security costs question is shaping up to be the thorniest of thorny issues. The Sussexes would also be wise to note that come the summer, when Boris Johnson walks away from EU talks, he'll need scapegoats to explain away the drop in national income and standards of living that will follow. Don't bet on him continuing to make buffoonish friendly noises about the Royals while signing a blank cheque.

British protection officers have significant background checks to ensure they are fully loyal to the UK monarchy and will always put its interests first. Can't count on that with other nations' officers

Not even in Canada, given HM's their head of state too?

I get the point about a move to LA and would point out there are plenty of high end "Rent-a-Heavy" companies there, but if it has to be UK staff it surely wouldn't be hard to avoid the endless to-and-fro costs by finding CPOs who'd relocate there permanently?

I certainly would

I'm reading with love and off to mix a G&T to celebrate the fact I'm at the end of the thread (so far) without it being deleted before I catch up.

In the meanwhile, there is no doubt a Sussex resident who may be about to get a pleasant surprise when the HAM handle goes pouf!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-47813521?ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ocid=socialflow_twitter

Not even in Canada, given HM's their head of state too?

Honestly don't know puzzled, that's the logic as I have read about it. But anyway, if as seems likely they now move to the US, that becomes an issue again. Can't see Trump, who is arguably the world's greatest grudge-holder, agreeing to subsidise the security costs of anyone who's criticised him. I can imagine the tweets already.

Notwiththeseknees Stealing a handle, then losing the right to use the brand, marvelous karma

Wasn't there some reports or speculation ages ago that MM had said she would never move back to the US whilst Trump was still president?

being treated as tax paying fools
Too right.

It is hard to understand why, given Harry and Meghan are as much royals of Canada as of Britain, it is the British taxpayers who are landed with paying for them when they are permanently resident in another Commonwealth country.

It is hard to understand why, given Harry and Meghan are as much royals of Canada as of Britain, it is the British taxpayers who are landed with paying for them when they are permanently resident in another Commonwealth country.

Also a good idea the more scrutiny is put on funding and other benefits extended to the royals. Should be able to hide this amongst the murky Prince Charles money - he who benefits from a duchy (arguable a role based public funding stream) and huge tax reliefs eg inheritance tax - imagine if they had to pay that. Think all the lovely palaces would quickly convert to National Trusts or something. How good would that be for the public!!!

Ah should NOT be able to hide in prince Charles funding. As you can see, really m thrilled we are talking about the security costs - I don’t think UK taxpayer should be funding. They’ve chosen a private life and that means the public benefit of security is gone. Surely with 34M, they can afford security themselves - part and parcel of being independent!! Might also encourage them to make smart choices and start to budget for their new life ... plus prevent the never endless flying

I think Canada would have liked a say in it. Canada didn't invite them to come, nor is there any thorny Canadian issue H and M are solving by being there.
Of course they need security. The world is full of nutters and Harry is massively high profile.

Dreaming about our next family day out in Buck Palace or Highgrove ... new National Trust acquisitions following the UK’s decision to convert to a proper democracy. Would be awesome

Startup ... Canada didn’t invite them nor is there a thorny issue for them. Same could be said for UK! And of course extends to all royal family - what a strange concept in a modern world

Of course they need security. The world is full of nutters and Harry is massively high profile. Yes that should never be forgotten.

I don't think any but the most unreasonable people deny that they need security startup. It's the question of how it's provided and paid for that is the sticking point.

should NOT be able to hide in prince Charles funding

You've got to be joking, Needthechat. Even a brief glance at the Duchy's arrangements is bad for the blood pressure, and if you add in his exemption from the FoI Act it becomes clear there's little he can't do finance-wise - and all of it without any real accountability at all

Given his mother's example of applying to a fund for the needy in order to pay for palace heating, do you really think he'd shy away from fudging security costs for his lad?

The Sussexes would also be wise to note that come the summer, when Boris Johnson walks away from EU talks, he'll need scapegoats to explain away the drop in national income and standards of living that will follow.

God yes, this is terrifying.

And it won't just be Meghan and Harry who have to worry about this. Wherever the Daily Mail etc try and direct attention needs real scrutiny. I doubt it will be towards the people who have any power or responsibility to do something about it

Also a good idea the more scrutiny is put on funding and other benefits extended to the royals.

God, yes. That Norman Baker book is an eye opener.

Both duchies should be absorbed into the Crown Estate and the royal finances made fully publicly accountable.

I'd be inclined to tell them that if they want security to be paid for by the UK taxpayers, then they have to live in the UK permanently, on the same basis as the other royals and politicians. If they then want to jet off overseas for private reasons, they fund that element themselves.

Take it or leave it. Their choice.

Given his mother's example of applying to a fund for the needy in order to pay for palace heating, do you really think he'd shy away from fudging security costs for his lad?

Say what? She didn't! Did she?