Meghan Markle and Prince Harry petition is signed by 80,000 Canadians demanding Megxit pair pay for their own security

More than 80,000 Canadians have signed a petition demanding that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pay for their own security as the cost of Megxit continued to spiral.

The breakaway couple and eight-month-old baby Archie are currently being shielded by a six man team of British bodyguards and Canadian Mounties.

But alarm has spread among taxpayer campaigners and MPs after it was disclosed that the cost could rocket to up to £6 million-a-year.

And thousands of Canadians have now joined an online campaign calling on Meghan and Harry to foot the bill themselves after winning their battle for financial independence.

Protests grew as removals experts revealed it would cost the couple an eye-watering £300,000 to relocate their high-value possessions from Windsor to Vancouver.

First Move International estimated insurance premiums on shipping the Sussexes’ artwork, jewellery and personal effects would, alone, total £200,000.

And it remained unclear last night whether British taxpayers would also be forced to stump up the removals money.

ROYAL RIFT

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation launched the petition as Laurel Collins, the MP for Victoria on Vancouver Island, moved to block security cash handouts.

Ms Collins said: “I hope that they're planning on covering their security costs.

“When it comes to the money our government spends and taxpayer money it's important that we put this into context and think about our priorities.

“That we're prioritising making life more affordable for people and that we're spending our tax dollars on the things that really matter to Canadians.”

In six days a flood of 80,000 online signatories backed the petition which called specifically for “no taxpayer support” for the couple.

It followed a poll which revealed 73 per cent of Canadians want to contribute nothing towards the cost.

Federation spokesman Aaron Wudrick said:: “Canadians are pleased to welcome the Duke and Duchess to Canada, but have made it crystal clear that taxpayers should not be forced to support them while they are living here.

“Our view is that Prime Minister Trudeau needs to respect the wishes of Canadians and make clear that while the Duke and Duchess are welcome in Canada, they must pay their own way.”

Harry, 35, will stop being paid for royal duties in the spring after quitting his role but is expected to make millions from commercial tie-ups to the Sussex Royal brand he is building with Meghan, 38.

The couple were last planning their money-spinning non-royal future behind closed doors at the £11 million Vancouver Island mansion owned by a mystery pal.