Ex-Hammond: Sussex Royals Plans Might Not Pay Off

Senior former official has warned that plans of Sussex Royals Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, to get independent and liberate from royal duties might not pay off and bear the fruits they expect.

UK Ex-Chancellor Philip Hammond has said it will be "very difficult" for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to become financially independent.

His remarks came ahead of crisis talks set by Queen Elizabeth with the senior members of royal family to discuss plans of announced the move taken by Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle to step back from their royal duties.

Mr Hammond, told Emma Barnett on Radio 5Live: "it’s very difficult for people who are senior members of the royal family to have careers in the ordinary sense of the word." He said he "wasn't surprised" about the decision but said there would be challenges.

"I think it will be very difficult for them, and I’m sure they understand the pressures and difficulties that they will face because every single thing that they do, or try to do, will come under immense scrutiny," he added.

"So, on the one hand, it’s very commendable that somebody in that position wants to try to earn their own living.

"It’s also only fair that we recognise that the intense interest that the media and the public opinion will take in everything that they do will make it actually quite difficult for them to do so."

Reports said that Markle and Prince Harry could lose their taxpayer-funded Metropolitan Police Royal Protection after their shock announcement they are "stepping back" from being senior royals.

On another hand, a senior source has told reporters that Scotland Yard is to conduct a "full review" into whether the pair's change in circumstances means that they will continue to be classified as 'internationally protected people'.

Their official roles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex means they, along with their son Archie, receive the protection of six full time Metropolitan Police bodyguards, as mandated by the Home Office.

Each bodyguard earns an estimated £100,000 a year including overtime - a hefty £600,000 bill that the taxpayer foots.