The team of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, had yesterday insisted their upcoming trip to Australia was not being funded by taxpayers

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are off to Australia(Image: Getty Images)

Police have today quashed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s claims their Australia tour is being funded wholly by themselves.

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New information actually suggests taxpayers in the nation are, in part, paying for the trip, a statement which contrasts with the word of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s PR guru yesterday. 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.”

While NSW Police typically provide standard services free of charge, events requiring increased security may involve a formal agreement for organizers to cover the additional costs. In the case of Harry and Meghan’s visit, no such arrangement has been made, meaning the extra security expenses will be absorbed by the police budget.

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Police say forces will help to ensure the safety of Harry and Meghan(Image: Getty Images,)

A Victoria Police spokesman also addressed this and said: “Police routinely assess events and visits and will deploy resources as necessary to ensure community safety. Victoria Police does not provide comment on specific operational arrangements.”

The statements clash with the claims made by Liam Maguire, the Sussexes’ new PR boss, who insisted the trip this month isn’t “a publicity tour”. He added: “The programme is rooted in long-standing areas of work for the Duke and Duchess, with a clear focus on amplifying organisations delivering measurable impact. The visit prioritises listening, learning and supporting communities rather than promotion.”

More than 43,000 people have signed a petition to voice their anger at the idea of public cash being spent on any parts of the Sussexes’ trip because they say, as the couple are no longer working royals, they cannot demand such privileges. An advocacy group called Beyond Australia started the campaign on Change.org, on which it states: “This directly contradicts those assurances and raises serious concerns about transparency and the use of public resources.”

The group further argued that reports of increased security concerns at Meghan’s alleged Sydney appearance — such as fears that critics might try to take her photos — are being overstated.

Harry and Meghan previously visited Australia in 2018, months after their wedding, when they were working royals. During this visit, they surprised a group of schoolchildren in Dubbo, New South Wales, and the couple visited Admiralty House – which boasts an incredible view of the Harbour and its landmarks – before heading over to the Opera House for a public meet-and-greet.

A photograph of the couple descending the stars of the famous building was later immortalised, used as the poster for their Netflix series Harry & Meghan.