DOCUMENTS obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation through an access to information request show that the RCMP spent more than $50,000 on overtime and logistics costs to provide security for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry after they briefly moved to Canada.

“For months, the Trudeau government refused to even acknowledge Canadian taxpayers were on the hook for Harry and Meghan’s security costs,” said Aaron Wudrick, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “Now we know the answer is yes – to the tune of at least $50,000.”

RCMP documents show bills totalled $56,384 as of January 22, 2020. Those totals do not include salaries or costs incurred after that date. The RCMP clearly expressed concern over the media scrutiny of those costs.

“Media is on this like a hot potato… so lots of coverage of the potential of the royals to spend half their time in Canada now as a couple,” wrote Bernadine Chapman, Commanding Officer of the National Division with the RCMP in an email to police colleagues. “We are having a greater conversation next week on the go forward on this. This has a potential to cost us huge!”

While many Canadians were happy to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to make their home in Canada, 80,000 people signed the Canadian Taxpayers Federation petition telling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to not use taxpayers’ money to cover bills for the rich and famous couple.

Harry and Meghan have reportedly since moved to Los Angeles.