VICTORIA, Canada, Jan 22, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Prince Harry and his wife
Meghan started their new life in Canada on Tuesday by launching a legal
warning to media over photographs of the duchess near their seaside bolthole.
Following their shock exit from life as working royals, Harry jetted out
from Britain to join Meghan late Monday at a luxury house outside Victoria on
Vancouver Island.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have temporarily set up base at the wooded
home, having spent six weeks there over Christmas with their baby son Archie.
Their bombshell announcement on January 8 that they wished to step back
from their royal duties rocked the monarchy.
The couple, who married in May 2018, admitted last year that they were
struggling with media scrutiny and have regularly hit out at the press in
statements and in the courts.
Their lawyers issued a legal warning after various outlets on Tuesday
published photographs of a smiling Meghan out walking her dogs with Archie.
In Britain, the pictures were used by The Sun and the Daily Mail
newspapers.
Lawyers claimed the images were taken by photographers hiding in bushes
and spying on the US former television actress, the BBC reported, and that
she did not consent to the photos. The couple were prepared to take legal
action, according to the BBC.
The lawyers claim there had been attempts to photograph inside their new
home using long lenses, and say paparazzi are camped outside the property.
A freelance photojournalist working in the area, who said he was from
California but wanted to remain anonymous, said the potential legal issues
are “kind of tough,” but that he does not let them affect his work.
“Canada has freedom of the press laws,” he said, sitting in the driver’s
seat of a white SUV with his photography gear on the passenger’s side.
“From what I understand, as long as you are not following them, harassing
them, breaking the law, as long as it’s a matter of public interest — and
the monarchy always is — then the press is free to cover it.”
– ‘No other option’ –
Harry, 35, and 38-year-old Meghan are bowing out entirely from
representing the monarchy, in a crisis that has shaken the centuries-old
institution.
Harry said Sunday that they did not want to quit their royal duties but
reluctantly accepted there was “no other option” if they wanted to cut loose
from public funding and seek their own income in pursuit of a more
independent life.
Under their new arrangement, the Sussexes are free to earn their own
commercial income — though at a greater cost than they first envisaged.
They can no longer represent Harry’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II or be
referred to as their royal highnesses, and must repay taxpayers’ money spent
on their UK home.
They will no longer receive public money — though 95 percent of their
annual funding comes from his father Prince Charles, via the heir to the
throne’s hereditary land and property estate.
To what extent that will continue, and who will cover their security bill
— currently met by the British police — remains to be seen.
– Questions over funding –
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday denied having spoken
“directly” with Queen Elizabeth about the security costs, after British media
reports that the country had offered to foot the bill.
“Discussions continue to be ongoing and I have no updates at this moment,”
Trudeau told a news conference.
Canadian media have estimated the cost of protecting the couple and their
eight-month-old son Archie at about Can$1.7 million (US$1.3 million) a year.
Other estimates run higher.
Britain’s Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said there must be a “line of
delineation” over who pays the security costs.
Asked whether British taxpayers should fund the Sussexes while they are in
Canada, he told Sky News television: “I don’t have an easy answer to that.”
The couple intend to raise their own income streams. They have launched
their new Sussex Royal website and trademarked the name.
However, the queen’s senior advisor on heraldry suggested they should not
be allowed to use the royal moniker, having relinquished their public duties.
“I don’t think it’s satisfactory. One cannot be two things at once. You
either are (royal) or you’re not,” Thomas Woodcock, the Garter King of Arms,
told The Times newspaper.
In a role that dates back to the 15th century, he is involved in making
sure that royal symbols are not used illegitimately for commercial purposes.
Woodcock, who was giving his personal opinion, said the final decision
would rest with the sovereign.
– ‘Leave them in peace’ –
Like Britain, Canada is a Commonwealth realm, meaning Queen Elizabeth is
the head of state.
Residents walking dogs on a path near the Sussexes’ new home told AFP that
they opposed intrusion into their new Canadian set-up, and were proud of the
local instinct to give them space.
“We don’t like it. Leave them in peace,” said Anne Girling, adding she had
met Meghan jogging on a trail nearby and they wished one another “good
morning.”
Sue Starkey, another dog walker, described the area as a “really friendly”
community.
“Our neighborhood has been so respectful and giving them space,” she said.
“I’m really happy they’re here and I hope they can find some peace.”