In comments over royal Sussexes decision, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said today that there is still much to discuss over the Prince Harry and wife Meghan willing to move to his country.
After crisis talks at Sandringham yesterday, the Queen gave her backing to Harry and Meghan's new "independent life" away from full-time royal duties and said they will begin a transition period living in the UK and Canada.
A source claims the 38-year-old duchess did dial in by conference call from Vancouver Island for some but not all of the meeting, reports the Sun. It is understood she took part at the end due to her being eight hours behind in Victoria.
The bombshell announcement made by the Sussexes about their willing to step down from royal duties has raised questions over the costs of the couple's security during their time in North America and who would foot the bill.
Asked during an interview with Global News whether Canadian taxpayers would have to pay, Mr Trudeau said: "That is part of the reflection that needs to be had and there are discussions going on.
"We're not entirely sure what the final decisions will be, what the dispositions are and those are decisions for them.. I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have."
He said the federal Canadian government had not been involved "up until this point" about what the couple's move to the country will involve.
"There are still a lot of decisions to be taken by the royal family, by the Sussexes themselves, as to what level of engagement they choose to have," Mr Trudeau said.
"We are obviously supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in that as well."
The Sussexes enjoyed a "general feeling of appreciation" in Canada, he added.
On his part, Canada's finance minister Bill Morneau told reporters in Toronto that the government "had not spent any time" thinking about the couple's security costs.
Following the crisis summit which was attended also by Prince Charles, Prince William along with Prince Harry, the Queen expressed her regret at their wish to step back as senior royals.
But she said her family "respect and understand" their wishes for more independence while still remaining a "valued part" of the monarchy.
British 'Mirror' noted to an unusual move, when Harry and Meghan were not referred to as the duke and duchess in the statement, only as the Sussexes and by their first names, raising questions about whether they will retain their titles.
The head of state also expressed the "support" of herself and the rest of the family for the couple's aspiration to create a new life together with their eight-month-old son Archie.
She stressed the discussions were "complex matters" for her family to resolve but she wanted "final decisions" in the "coming days".
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