TalkTV presenter Kevin O’Sullivan addressed Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s upcoming trip to Australia during Friday’s edition of his show. It comes as police have quashed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s claims their Australia tour is being funded wholly by themselves. New information actually suggests taxpayers in the nation are, in part, paying for the trip, according to Australian reports.
The on-screen host was joined by commentator Samara Gill who addressed the latest update on the Sussex’s trip. Kevin said: “Turns out Australian taxpayers will have to put their hands in their pockets for this couple?”
“Yes,” Samara replied, “that’s what the Victorian police announced today and the New South Wales police. They will be conducting extra security for Harry and Meghan.”
She continued: “This is crazy. This is absolutely insane. The Australian taxpayer paying so Harry and Meghan can sip some champagne while our country is going through massive austerity.”
“Optically, this is terrible,” Samara added.
A spokesperson for a constabulary said: “The New South Wales (NSW) Police Force will conduct an operation to ensure public safety is maintained during the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
“The operation will require some additional security measures throughout their stay in New South Wales, while minimising any disruption to the community.”
According to reports, NSW Police typically provide standard services free of charge, events requiring increased security may involve a formal agreement for organisers to cover the additional costs.
The TalkTV guest claimed the couple’s last trip to Australia in 2018 was “extremely expensive” but suggested as they were still senior working members of the Royal Family the costs were warranted.
Samara suggested: “Now, it makes absolutely no sense that they will have taxpayer funded security and it’s hiliarious the response their press person put out.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be commencing their tour Down Under next week, stopping in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne for “private, business and philanthropic engagements”.