Harry tops the list
When it comes to protecting VIPs on Canadian soil, Prince Harry has landed at the very top — at least when it comes to the bill. New figures show that security costs tied to the Duke of Sussex's visits to Canada were higher than those for any other internationally protected person tracked by federal authorities.
"Internationally protected persons" is the official designation used by the RCMP and its partners for foreign dignitaries, royals, heads of state, and other high-profile visitors who require coordinated security while in the country. The category covers a wide range of VIPs who pass through Canada each year, from visiting politicians to members of royal families, each assigned a security plan based on threat assessments and logistics.
Why the costs stand out
Prince Harry's relationship with Canada has been closely watched since he and Meghan Markle relocated to North America, spending time on Vancouver Island before eventually settling in California. Even after that move, his visits back to Canada have continued to draw significant public and media attention — and, evidently, significant security resourcing.
Royal protection is typically layered, involving coordination between the RCMP, local police services, and sometimes private security details depending on the nature of the visit. High-profile individuals who no longer hold official state roles can still require extensive planning, particularly when their public appearances or travel patterns are harder to predict than those of a sitting head of state on a fixed diplomatic itinerary.
What it means for Ottawa and beyond
While the specifics of the visits themselves varied, the fact that Harry's security tab outpaced every other internationally protected person underscores how costly it can be to protect high-net-visibility figures whose schedules and public profile don't follow the more predictable patterns of traditional diplomatic visits. Decisions about protective security for the RCMP's IPP program are made in Ottawa, where federal agencies weigh threat levels, itineraries, and public safety considerations for every visiting dignitary.
The RCMP's protective policing branch, headquartered in the National Capital Region, is responsible for coordinating security for internationally protected persons across the country, meaning the story of who costs the most to protect ultimately runs through decisions made by officials in Ottawa.
For now, the details of exactly how the costs broke down haven't been fully released, but the ranking itself offers a rare glimpse into just how resource-intensive high-profile visits can be — even for guests who no longer carry official royal duties on Canadian soil.
Source: CBC News
