Amid Plans for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Move to North America, Travel Plans, Security Addressed
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, had just announced that the couple would be moving to North America and relinquishing their duties as senior members of the royal family, according to the Official Sussex Instagram page.
And now the couple is sharing their tentative travel plans, as well as, what they intend to do for security purposes while living across the pond. After countless questions were asked regarding the logistics and their protection, the Official Sussex website addressed those concerns.
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Travel Logistics to be Independent of UK Taxpayer Dollars
The first official statement addressed the financial aspects of their travel and all affiliated logistics, confirming that any expenses would be paid for by the couple, themselves, not any of the United Kingdom taxpayers.
"All travel arrangements undertaken by The Duke and Duchess in their private time have always been and will continue to be paid for privately and not by UK taxpayers," the statement began.
"With their transition to becoming members of the Royal Family with financial independence, this will continue to be the case. Wherever possible and unless advised otherwise on security grounds, their logistical arrangements are undertaken via commercial air carriers, local trains and fuel-efficient vehicles, be it for official or personal travel."
Previous Criticisms for Flying Private Jets on Vacaction
The nod to commercial airliners is in response, not only to previous criticisms of the carbon impact of a private jet but also to further develop their independence as it comes to being more of a civilian than members of the royal family.
The Sussex's were recently criticized in 2019 for taking a private jet for a vacation to Ibiza, Spain and then to Nice, France, despite the knowledge of the carbon footprint the airliner was putting out in the atmosphere. People on social media were quite to call them out for not using a more economical, commercial airplane.
The Unknowns of Security That Will Be Needed or Provided
As for security purposes, Prince Harry and Markle have also been working on the logistics of that, as well. They continued their statement with information on how they planned to remain safe living in a new country, after all, even though they won't be on the payroll of the United Kingdom, they both are still very public figures and will require the best security possible, however, they are not able to comment directly on this.
According to the Metropolitan Police, "No breakdown of security costs is available as disclosure of such information could compromise the integrity of these arrangements and affect the security of the individuals protected," their website read. "It is long-established policy not to comment upon the protective security arrangements and their related costs for members of the Royal Family or their residences."
Uncertainty on When the Move Will Take Place or Where
The final itinerary for the move has not yet been determined and it is unlikely that it will occur sooner than later. There will be much to be done in regard to official documentary changes, as well as, the purchasing of a property in North America, amongst other hurdles.
It is also not known to what extent Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will retain royal duties, as they are not completely cutting ties with the family. In a statement Wednesday by the couple, their move was predicated on gaining their own financial independence to start a new life for their 8-mont-old son, Archie, as well as, create an avenue to begin their own charitable organization.
