‘We’re flattered to have you… but we don’t want to pay for your security’: Canadian press reacts to ‘Megxit’
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to comment on the bombshell update
- But newspapers were quick to weigh in on the announcement from the Queen
- Toronto Sun put: ‘We’re flattered to have you. No, we don’t want to pay security’
Canada has reacted to the shock announcement the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will quit royal life completely, with Harry expected to join Meghan and baby Archie in the North American country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to comment on the bombshell news, but newspapers were quick to weigh in.
In an opinion piece for the Toronto Sun, Christina Blizzard wrote: ‘Yes, we’re flattered to have you come stay. No, we don’t want to pay for security.’
Canada has reacted to the shock announcement the Duke (pictured) and Duchess of Sussex will quit royal life completely, with Harry expected to join Meghan and baby Archie in the North American country
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to comment on the bombshell news, but newspapers were quick to weigh in. Pictured: Meghan driving in Canada earlier this week
Mr Trudeau is pictured leaving a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on Saturday
In an opinion piece for the Toronto Sun , Christina Blizzard wrote: ‘Yes, we’re flattered to have you come stay. No, we don’t want to pay for security’
She added: ‘You sense a great deal of pain and sadness in the Queen’s statement. She deserved better. She tried so hard to welcome Meghan.’
Critics have said the couple are not welcome to settle in Canada, suggesting they would cost taxpayers £5million [$10million] and would cause a constitutional crisis.
This is because no British royal has ever settled there and the nation prides itself on not having any aristocracy, with anyone offered a peerage in the UK expected to renounce their Canadian citizenship first.
And the Globe and Mail touched on the cost of the couple, saying: ‘The statement also didn’t clarify who will cover the cost of their security, which has been estimated at around £600,000 annually.
And the Globe and Mail touched on the cost of the couple, saying: ‘The statement also didn’t clarify who will cover the cost of their security, which has been estimated at around £600,000 annually’
Respected broadsheet the National Post also covered the story in a news article (pictured)
‘Saturday’s statement didn’t comment on security other than to say; ”There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly- funded security”.’
It added: ‘The Canadian government has not said if it will cover the cost of the couple’s security if they decide to live in the country.
‘Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said this week that security costs were ”part of the reflection that needs to be had and there are discussions going on”.’
Respected broadsheet the National Post also covered the story in a news article.
It comes after a new poll in Toronto, a city Meghan lived for seven years, found her husband is, after the Queen, regarded as their favourite Windsor.
But nearly three-quarters of people were opposed to paying towards the Sussexes’ costs.
While support for his grandmother the Queen is ‘deep, broad and strong’, two thirds said the royal family is losing or has lost its relevance and 45 per cent said Canada should not continue as a constitutional monarchy.