Canada appears to backtrack on pledge to pay Harry and Megan’s £1 million-a-year security bill

CANADA last night appeared to rein back a pledge to pay Harry and Meghan’s £1 million-a-year security bill should they move there.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to have privately assured The Queen his government would partially fund protection for the couple and son Archie.

But Finance Minister Bill Morneau last night warned federal officials have yet to make a decision on the crucial contribution amid fears the nation’s taxpayers would object.

The huge cost of keeping the couple safe is at the heart of the Sandringham deal which senior royals and aides began crafting yesterday.

Quizzed about the key security issue yesterday Morneau said: "No, we haven't spent any time thinking about this issue.”

"We obviously are always looking to make sure, as a member of the Commonwealth, we play a role.

“We have not had any discussions on that subject at this time."

'ARCHIE'S SAFETY WON'T BE JEOPARDISED'

The funding question could leave a huge black hole in the couple’s coffers as they battle to become financially independent.

Sources said Trudeau had "agreed taxpayers in his country should pick up the huge bill for the couple's round-the-clock protection while they are in the country.”

He is further said to to have assured Her Majesty that Harry, Meghan and Archie's safety "will not be jeopardised while they reside there."

But a spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on the prospect of Canada paying for the family's protection.

Questions also arose about the couple’s citizenship as the complex process of detaching them from the royal family began.

A spokesman for Canada’s Immigration Minster Marco Mendicino said they would not automatically be granted citizenship.

'NORMAL PROCESS'

The statement said: "In order to become legal permanent residents of Canada, they would need to apply through our normal immigration processes.

“However, members of the Royal Family are not required to seek authorisation to come to and stay in Canada as visitors.

"There are no provisions in the Citizenship Act that confer Canadian citizenship status to members of the Royal Family by virtue of their status as a member of the monarchy."

Under Canadian immigration law, most British visitors to the country can stay visa-free for up to six months.

Harry and Meghan want to divide their time between the UK and North America and become financially independent and less reliant on funds from the Sovereign Grant.

Security costs incurred by the royals have previously been covered by the British taxpayer — but they will not be entitled to the funding should they become ex-royals.

Canada has paid the costs associated with past royal tours before and in 2010 spent £1.65 million protecting The Queen during her nine-day tour of the country.

Protecting Prince William and his wife Kate during a 2011 visit cost Canada £700,000.

But Canadian taxpayers may not be so keen to incur the paying up such large sums for the breakaway royals for the forseeable future.

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