How Harry, Meghan will cover security bill

Prince Harry is getting his dad to fork over $4 million (AUD) per year toward his post-Megxit US security costs that sparked a diplomatic spat with President Trump, according to a report.

Trump sternly insisted Harry and wife Meghan Markle “must pay” for their own security after jetting into their new life in California — with the couple insisting that “privately funded security arrangements have been made”.

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Those arrangements are being fronted by Harry’s dad, the UK’s 71-year-old heir to the throne, Prince Charles, a royal source told the Daily Mail.

“Charles has agreed to pay a ‘private contribution’ to the Sussexes. It will not be revealed how much and what that is used for, but it is believed to be around £2 million ($A4.04 million),” the source said.

“However, the Prince of Wales does not have an infinite amount of money,” the source said — while conceding his annual income from his private estate, the Duchy of Cornwall, is around $26 million.

It was reported last week that the couple had left their $22 million bolthole in Canada and taken a private jet with baby Archie to the Los Angeles area before the borders were closed amid the coronavirus crisis.

Meghan’s mother Doria lives in Los Angeles, and the 38-year-old former Suits star grew up there.

Their security bill is likely to be even higher than first thought because British police are unable to carry guns in the US, meaning the couple needs to hire private guards, the Mail says.

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on the report nor whether it meant UK taxpayers would no longer have to contribute towards any future bill.

This article originally appeared in the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.