Scotland Yard officers protecting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Canada say they are treated ‘like skivvies’

SCOTLAND Yard officers protecting Prince Harry and Meghan in Canada have voiced concern about running errands including picking up groceries and coffees.

Protection officers guarding the couple around the clock at their remote bolthole have said they feel they are being treated like “skivvies”.

Their rota means they work for two weeks at a time - boosting their pay packets with overtime as they are on duty around the clock.

Former head of Royal Protection Dai Davies said: “I would consider outside the remit of the close protection officers to be running errands and going shopping.

"Their priority is close protection and as such have to stick to them like glue.

"But you build up a relationship with the employer and use a common sense approach in these situations.”

The team are running up huge bills on flights, cars, wages and overtime as they mount a round the clock watch on the couple who have stepped down as frontline royals.

One Royal Protection officer was seen buying food from an organic delicatessen - a favourite of Meghan’s close to her and Harry’s £10 million.

A team of up to 15 highly-trained close protection experts – including some Canadian ‘Mounties’ – are on duty around the couple and nine-month old son Archie.

The number is higher than previously reported – and the couple’s security detail appear to be using three other houses as well as the duke and duchess’s £10.5 million five-bedroom bolthole.

'RUNNING ERRANDS'

Last night, a royal security source said: “While the guys are happy to be out there doing the jobs, there is a feeling they are carrying out menial tasks, like picking up takeaways and groceries.

“They are close protection officers – and should be sticking solely to close protection rather than running errands.

“It is dangerous for one thing, because if something were to happen it would not be good if one of them was away running an errand or picking up coffee.

“And they are the ones who would get it in the neck from their bosses if they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

A local source said the officers had also been spotted picking up orders from a local branch of coffee and fast food outlet Tim Hortons.

The local source said: “The bodyguards have a fleet of cars, which must have been hired locally – all Range Rovers, Land Rovers and SUVs.

“There are 10-15 burly blokes and most of them seem to be British.

“They are doing a very good and professional job but it is hard not to spot them in an isolated place like this.

The claims by the officers come amid an ongoing row over who will pay for the Sussex’s security – with a cost-sharing exercise between Britain and Canada predicted.

Experts have estimated the annual bill for protecting Harry and Meghan at £3 million to £6 million.

The highly-trained British members of the team – Met Police detectives who can earn up to £100,000 per year - are regularly swapping in and out from Britain.

And when Harry or Meghan travel, they are usually escorted by at least four guards.

A spokeswoman for Harry and Meghan declined to comment.