Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are scheduled to end their royal career on March 31 after agreeing with the Queen they will no longer take part in official engagements as they seek to establish a more “progressive” role for themselves. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been setting up a new home in Canada with their son Archie but despite their departure from the Royal Family, the couple will continue to need high security. Former protection officer Kevin told LBC the price tag for Harry and Meghan’s bodyguards could get as high as £20million, and British taxpayers may have to fork out part of the money. 

Speaking to LBC, Kevin said: “Harry and Meghan are a very legitimate and seductive target. These people deserve an element of security.

“I’m a former protection officer from the military and there could be an option where, for example, the PPOs, the protection officers, are provided by the Met who are the actual one-on-one bodyguard and then the outer security would be provided by a private military company, highly vetted.

“This sort of thing happens in embassies. That could actually work in this scenario and I think it would be warranted, at the bare minimum.

“I don’t have an issue with the £20million but others do, so that’s understandable.”

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Kevin insisted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would still pay privately for the additional security they would require when on private outings. 

He continued: “The manœuvre aspect would be provided by a private company that would be paid for by either them themselves or their large companies.

“But the core security – the main expense is life support. I spent many a time myself when my client, who was an ambassador, ate, I ate myself.

“I’d spend money and time sat next to them because we’d have to stick with them. That’s where the £20million comes from, the wages.”

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The Met Police claim they are under-resourced at present to fund the couple’s £20m-a-year bills.

According to the Mirror, the Met are in the midst of a “staffing crisis” and are deeply concerned on their ability to protect the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Officials inside the force have revealed that they are worried about whether they will be able to provide the security needed when the couple go on their trips across the world.

One former protection officer said: “This is adding to the Met’s woes.”

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Following news of their eye-watering security bill, a huge row erupted over who should actually pay it.

Ex-Met protection officer Dai Davies said: “In their current state the plans are unworkable.

“Harry and Meghan’s ­situation has called for a complete ripping up of the ­rulebook and they are acting like none of the rules apply to them.

“There is already a severe lack of trained officers and this is only adding to the Met’s woes.”

A source added: “The average salary of a protection officer is in excess of £106,000 and, on current standing, Harry and Meghan need at least 12 if not more split over several teams.

“Travel, accommodation bills and ­overtime payments are set to explode, with ­residences in multiple countries.

“Training for extra officers plus potential relocation payments to some who may be permanently based abroad has led to a complete reworking of the situation.

“The Met have been told to deliver the calculations before the ­Government makes its decision, but both parties are perturbed, with the situation exploding past £10million annually to easily reach £20million.”

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