The sky-high cost of tour that tore Royal Family apart: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's African trip cost £245,000 making it the most expensive jaunt by The Firm last year, as total travel bill hits £5.3m
- The trip to South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Malawi had been billed as one of showpiece events of the year
- But couple left months of work by staff and diplomats in tatters after they launched a rebuke against the press
- They also secretly recorded explosive TV documentary in which Meghan painted Harry's family as uncaring
- The Sussexes, who took Archie on the trip, stepped down as senior working royals months later, and live in US
- Royal accounts show £245,643 was spent on scheduled flights and a private jet for the couple and entourage
Harry and Meghan's last official tour as members of the Royal Family cost British taxpayers almost a quarter of a million pounds, official accounts reveal today.
The high-profile trip to South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Malawi last autumn had been billed as one of the showpiece events of the royal year.
But the couple left months of work by staff and diplomats in tatters after they launched a stinging rebuke against the media during the publicly funded trip, as well as secretly recording an explosive TV documentary in which Meghan painted Harry's family as uncaring by accusing them of failing to ever ask if she 'was OK'.
The Sussexes, who also took baby son Archie on the trip, stepped down as senior working royals months later, and now live in the US, where they are financially independent having signed a multi-million-pound deal with Netflix.
Royal accounts published today show £245,643 was spent on scheduled flights and a private jet for the couple and their entourage, making it the most expensive royal trip of the year.
Royal accounts published today show £245,643 was spent on scheduled flights and a private jet for the couple (pictured at a mosque in Cape Town) and their entourage, making it the most expensive royal trip of the year
Pictured: baby Archie being kissed on the forehead by Archbishop Desmond Tutu while in the hands of his mother the Duchess of Sussex in Cape Town, on day three of their tour of Africa
The Duke of Sussex walked through a minefield in Dirico, Angola on September 27. He visited to see the work of landmine clearance charity the Halo Trust
The Duke of Sussex, during a tree planting event with local schoolchildren, at the Chobe Tree Reserve, Botswana
Prior to taking a trip with the anti-poaching patrol, Harry revealed his deep affinity with Botswana, adding: 'I came here in 1997 or 1998 straight after my mum died, so it was a nice place to get away from it all. I feel deeply connected to this place and to Africa'
Sources defended the cost, saying it was a key visit approved by the Foreign Office and helped highlight the work of numerous charities.
'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex undertook over 20 engagements, bringing attention to a number of worthwhile causes, in particular, raising awareness of the work and the legacy of the Halo Trust [an anti-landmine charity championed by Princess Diana],' the source said.
'The visit, as an official visit funded by the Government, fulfilled the objectives that were set out for it.'
A further £210,345 was spent by royal officials on a private charter plane to take Prince Charles to Oman to pay official respects after the death of the king.
The trip lasted just two days.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's tour to Pakistan last year was the third most expensive of the year, costing £117,116, but was considered a huge success by ministers.
Questions have also been raised about the £15,848 spent to flying beleaguered Prince Andrew by private jet to the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland for a two-day trip to the Open Championship last July.
The club later dumped him as patron following his disastrous television interview in November.
A palace source defended Andrew's use of a charter instead of a scheduled flight, saying: 'In this particular case we concluded that, actually, the use of charter was the only way to get him to complete his engagements to fit in with his other programmes.'
Even diligent Princess Anne found herself under the spotlight for spending £16,440 on another private jet to take her from London to Rome and back to watch her beloved Scotland play in the Six Nations Rugby International against Italy.
She is patron of Scottish Rugby Union.
£41,035 was spent getting Prince Charles (pictured with the Pope in the Vatican) to Rome for the canonisation of Cardinal Newman
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's (pictured in London on September 15) tour to Pakistan last year was the third most expensive of the year, costing £117,116, but was considered a huge success by ministers
Questions have also been raised about the £15,848 spent to flying beleaguered Prince Andrew by private jet to the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland (pictured)
Princess Anne found herself under the spotlight for spending £16,440 on a private jet to take her from London to Rome and back to watch Scotland play in the Six Nations (pictured)
The total bill for royal travel in 2019/2020 was £5.3million, a 15.2 per cent increase on last year's £4.6million, according to the palace's annual report and accounts, published today.
Anti-monarchist campaign group Republic said the figures failed to reflect the true annual cost of the monarchy – which it puts at £345million by taking account of lost revenues from the royal estates, policing and the cost to other authorities such as local councils.
Spokesman Graham Smith said: 'These figures don't disclose the daily abuse of money on shorter trips around the country, taking helicopters when they could go by car, driving when they could go by train.
'A 15 per cent increase in travel costs when hospitals can't deliver the very best care to every person in need, when teachers are struggling to pay for the necessary books and equipment and the police are stretched to breaking point is scandalous.
'Why is the Government paying for Prince Andrew to go to golfing tournaments, or Princess Anne to attend a rugby match in Italy?
This is an abuse of public money far worse than the MPs' expenses scandal and it has to stop.'
Buckingham Palace also confirmed yesterday that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have paid an 'undisclosed' sum upfront for the rental and refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage.
Critics had called for Harry and Meghan to pay back the £2.4million of taxpayers' money spent renovating their Windsor property, which they have decided to keep on as a permanent base in the UK despite buying an £11million mansion in California.
The accounts also revealed that the pot from which Prince Charles draws money for the Cambridges and Sussexes swelled to £5.6million – up £556,000 on last year.
The Duke of Sussex helps local schoolchildren plant trees at the Chobe Tree Reserve in Botswana, on day four of their tour of Africa
Prince Harry is pictured holding a container as he chats to a young boy carrying a spade at the tree planting in northern Botswana
In an ITV documentary, Harry hinted that his wife and son Archie could head overseas to the African nation when talking to broadcaster Tom Bradby (pictured together)
Palace £35million funding shortfall – but will not let public foot the bill as senior aides say the household will have to tighten its belt
Buckingham Palace has admitted it faces a £35million funding shortfall due to Covid-19 – but says it will not ask for extra public money.
Senior Royal aides said that the household will have to tighten its belt, which could lead to job losses.
Last year the Queen, who still conducted 296 official engagements despite turning 94 in April, was given £82.4million in taxpayer funding – known as the Sovereign Grant.
The Palace says that this is equivalent to £1.23 for every person in the UK.
The figure is made up of a core grant of £49.4million which is used to fund official travel, property maintenance and the operating costs of her household in her role as head of state.
Buckingham Palace has admitted it faces a £35million funding shortfall due to Covid-19 – but says it will not ask for extra public money
Last year the Queen (pictured in July), who still conducted 296 official engagements despite turning 94 in April, was given £82.4million in taxpayer funding – known as the Sovereign Grant
More than 139,000 guests were welcomed at royal residences across the country, among them Donald Trump, with £69.4million going on official expenditure
An additional £33million was given as part of a major £365million, ten-year reservicing of crumbling Buckingham Palace, which was agreed after aides successfully argued the building was on its last legs.
But in the coming years Buckingham Palace is facing tough times, including a £20million shortfall in funding for the reservicing programme.
It is also looking at a loss of £5million a year in funding from the Royal Collection Trust for the next three years due to the palace being closed to visitors and the continuing downturn in tourism.
The Queen's official Keeper of the Privy Purse, Sir Michael Stevens, said: 'In responding to both these financial challenges we have no intention of asking for extra funding and will look to manage the impact through our own efforts and efficiencies.'
He did not rule out job losses among the 488 members of staff.
A pay freeze for royal staff was implemented in April and there is also a halt on recruitment, with only 'business-critical' posts being filled.
Members of the Royal Family conducted almost 3,200 official engagements last year, both in the UK and overseas.
More than 139,000 guests were welcomed at royal residences across the country, among them Donald Trump, with £69.4million going on official expenditure.
Sir Michael said although the virus had changed the format of events this year, with even the Queen now carrying out some engagements via video call, she and her family still offered 'continuity, reassurance and recognition'.
He added: 'Her Majesty's programme, supported by her family, will continue to develop meaningful ways to lead the nation through this time.'
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September 25, 2020 at 06:00AM
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