Harry and Meghan start new life in Canada with media spat
VICTORIA, Canada, Jan. 22(AFP) : Prince Harry and his wife Meghan begin 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 of 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 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 were 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 photographs of various outlets published Tuesday showing a smiling Meghan walking out with her dogs.
In Britain, the pictures were used by The Sun and the Daily Mail newspapers.
Lawyers claimed the images were taken by a photographer hiding in bushes and spying on the US former television actress, reported the BBC, 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 have been attempts to photograph their new home inside 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 potential legal issues are “kind of tough,” but that he doesn’t 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 is 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 completely representing the monarchy, in a crisis that has shaken the seventy-old institution.
Harry said Sunday that he didn’t want to quit his royal duties but reluctantly accepted there was “no other option” if he wanted to cut off public funding and seek a more independent life in pursuit of his own income.
Under their new arrangement, the Sussexes are free to earn their own commercial income – though at a higher 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 their father Prince Charles, through the heir to the throne’s hereditary land and property estate.
To what extent will that 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 being “directly” with Queen Elizabeth about the security costs, after British media reports that the country had offered to foot the bill.
“The discussions are going to continue 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 $ 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 satisfying. One can’t do two things at once. You’re either (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, it is related 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 be 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 to give them a local instinct.
“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 each other “good morning.”
