So now, Harry and Meghan, the dynamic duo of drama, decide to grace Vancouver with their presence for a hopping three days. You’d think they were coming to solve world hunger or broker world peace, right? Nope, they were there to promote Harry’s pet project, the Invictus Games. Now, don’t get me wrong, the Invictus Games are a great cause, but what happened next is enough to make a Mountie drop his hat—the bill for police overtime during their brief visit: a cool £34,558. That’s right, folks! In less time than it takes most people to get over a bad hangover, these two racked up a bill that could buy you a pretty sweet igloo in the Yukon.
Now, before we dive in, let’s get one thing straight: I’m not here to judge. I’m just a humble neighborhood critic serving up the tea and letting you decide if it’s maple syrup or just hot garbage water. So don’t come at me with your hockey sticks if you disagree; save those for the rink, eh?
Let’s break this down. The Vancouver Police Department is claiming they didn’t specifically provide security for Harry and Meghan. Oh no, they just happened to have a bunch of officers hanging around the area in case any issues arose. Right, because that’s totally normal. I’m sure they do that for every zealous celebrity that rolls into town. Justin Bieber must be thrilled!
But here’s where it gets really interesting. Doug Maynard, the big cheese of security for the Invictus Games, is swearing up and down that taxpayers didn’t fund Harry and Meghan’s security. According to him, it was all paid for by individual donations. Well, isn’t that convenient? It’s like when your rich friend picks up the tab at dinner and says, “Oh, don’t worry about it; my dad’s company is paying.” Sure, Jan.
Now, let’s talk about these individual donations for a hot second. Who are these mysterious benefactors willing to shill out thousands for Harry and Meghan’s security? Are they diehard royal fans, bored billionaires, or maybe it’s just Oprah still feeling guilty about that interview?
But wait, it gets better. Remember back in 2020 when Harry and Meghan first ditched royal life? Public Safety Canada announced they’d stop providing RCMP security for the couple. And yet, here we are, four years later, still footing the bill for their little jaunts across the country. It’s like that friend who says they’re moving out but keeps coming back to raid your fridge.
And let’s not forget, this isn’t the first time Canada’s been left holding the bag for these two. Back in 2019 to 2020, the RCMP spent over £43,000 protecting them during their extended Canadian vacation. I mean, at this point, Canada has spent more on Harry and Meghan than most people spend on their actual family members.
But here’s the real kicker, folks. Harry and Meghan are supposed to be private citizens now, right? They made this big show about wanting to be independent, to escape the pressures of royal life, and yet they still expect the royal treatment wherever they go. It’s like quitting your job at McDonald’s but still expecting free Big Macs for life.
Now, I can already hear some of you typing furiously in the comments: “But they’re doing important work! The Invictus Games are a great cause!” And you’re not wrong; the Invictus Games are fantastic. They’ve done wonders for wounded veterans. But here’s the thing—does promoting a sporting event really justify this kind of expense? Think about it: how many local charities could have used that £34,558? How many homeless shelters could have been funded? How many school programs could have been saved? Instead, it went to overtime pay for police officers to stand around looking important while Harry and Meghan did what exactly? Shook some hands, smiled for some photos, told everyone how much they love Canada while simultaneously draining its resources?
But let’s take a step back for a second and look at the bigger picture. This whole situation is a perfect example of the weird limbo Harry and Meghan are stuck in. They’re not quite royals anymore, but they’re not quite normal citizens either. They’re like the quantum particles of the celebrity world, existing in two states at once—both privileged and persecuted, depending on who you ask.
And that’s the real problem here. Harry and Meghan want all the perks of being royal—the security, the adoration, the ability to influence people—without any of the responsibilities or scrutiny that come with it. They want to have their royal cake and eat it too, preferably while someone else picks up the tab.
But here’s the thing: you can’t have it both ways. Either you’re in or you’re out. If you want to be treated like royalty, then maybe you should—oh, I don’t know—actually be royalty. And if you want to be private citizens, then maybe accept that private citizens don’t get police escorts and round-the-clock security details.
Now, I’m not saying Harry and Meghan don’t deserve any protection—they’re high-profile individuals, and there are legitimate security concerns. But there’s a big difference between reasonable precautions and turning every public appearance into a military operation.
And let’s not forget, this is all happening against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis. While ordinary Canadians are struggling to make ends meet, worrying about rising food prices and skyrocketing rent, we’re spending tens of thousands of dollars so Harry and Meghan can feel safe promoting a sporting event. It’s tone-deaf at best and downright insulting at worst.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: this whole debacle is shining a spotlight on something that’s been bubbling under the surface for years—the relationship between Canada and the British monarchy. I mean, let’s be real, how many Canadians actually care about the royal family beyond the occasional gossip headline? Sure, we put the Queen on our money (rest in peace, Liz), and we all enjoyed a day off for the coronation, but when it comes down to it, do we really want to be spending our hard-earned tax dollars on people who aren’t even officially part of the royal family anymore? It’s like we’re stuck in some weird colonial hangover, still kowtowing to the whims of British royalty long after we’ve established our own identity as a nation.
Maybe it’s time we had a frank discussion about what role, if any, the monarchy should play in modern Canadian society. But let’s get back to Harry and Meghan for a second. I almost feel bad for them. Almost. They’re in this impossible situation of their own making. They wanted freedom from the royal family, but they’re finding out that freedom comes at a cost—literally. They’re learning the hard way that being a celebrity without the backing of a centuries-old institution isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It’s like they’ve jumped out of the frying pan of royal life and straight into the fire of public scrutiny and financial reality.
So what’s the solution? Well, if you ask me—and since you’re watching my channel, I’m going to assume you are—it’s time for Harry and Meghan to pick a lane. If they want to be private citizens, then they need to start acting like it. That means paying for their own security, flying commercial like the rest of us peasants, and maybe, just maybe, considering the optics of their actions. Or, if they can’t let go of the royal lifestyle, then maybe it’s time to swallow their pride and head back to Britain. I’m sure King Charles would be thrilled to have them back. Well, maybe not thrilled—mildly amused, slightly less irritated.
But here’s the reality, folks: at the end of the day, this isn’t just about Harry and Meghan—it’s about us. It’s about what we’re willing to tolerate, what we’re willing to pay for, and what we expect from public figures. Are we okay with footing the bill for ex-royals who claim to want privacy but seem to pop up in the media more often than a whack-a-mole? Are we comfortable with our police forces spending overtime on glorifying celebrities while other areas of public safety might be underfunded?
These are the questions we need to be asking ourselves, because if we don’t, we’re just enabling this behavior. We’re telling Harry and Meghan, and others like them, that it’s okay to have your cake and eat it too—as long as someone else is paying for the bakery.
So what do you think, YouTube fam? Should Canada be footing the bill for Harry and Meghan’s visits? Should they be treated like any other private citizens, or is there a middle ground we haven’t considered? Again, let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell so you never miss another scorching hot take from your favorite royal watchdog.
Until then, stay tuned for more shocking stories and scandalous exposés on our YouTube channel. Remember to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on the latest from the world of the royal family.