President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US would not pay security costs for Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, seeming to confirm that the couple have moved to California.
They reportedly flew by private jet from Canada to Los Angeles before the border between the two countries closed because of the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
The Sussexes said they had no plans to ask for US public funding for their security.
The couple, who had been in Canada for several months, rocked the royal family this year with their decision to no longer represent the British monarchy and to pursue a new, independent life.
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry watch a flypast of Royal Air Force aircraft pass over Buckingham Palace in London. AP Photo -
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave after visiting Canada House in London after their recent stay in Canada. AP Photo -
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive to greet members of the public in Kingfisher Bay on Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia October 22, 2018. Reuters -
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet with a local surfing community group, known as OneWave, raising awareness for mental health and wellbeing in a fun and engaging way at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. AP Photo -
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex hold their baby son Archie during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle, in Berkshire, Britain May 8, 2019. Reuters -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, visits Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, during their royal tour of South Africa on September 24, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images -
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, pose for a photo with the New York Yankees before their game against the Boston Red Sox at London Stadium on June 29, 2019 in London, England. The game was in support of the Invictus Games Foundation. Getty Images -
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, dance as they visit a Justice Desk initiative in Nyanga township, during their royal tour of South Africa on September 23, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images -
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts, mats and tapa cloths at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre on October 26, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Getty Images -
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, meet with local children as they arrive at Dubbo Airport on October 17, 2018 in Dubbo, Australia. Getty Images -
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his new wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, leave from the West Door of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Susse, arrive for a visit to "Justice desk", an NGO in the township of Nyanga in Cape Town, as they begin their tour of the region on September 23, 2019. AFP -
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, chats with Disney CEO Robert Iger as Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, embraces US singer-songwriter Beyoncé as they attend the European premiere of the film The Lion King in London on July 14, 2019. AFP -
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, joined by her mother, Doria Ragland, show their new son to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England. AP Photo
"I am a great friend and admirer of the Queen and the United Kingdom," Mr Trump tweeted.
"It was reported that Harry and Meghan, who left the kingdom, would reside permanently in Canada.
"Now they have left Canada for the US. However, the US will not pay for their security protection. They must pay."
Mr Trump's comments followed an announcement by the Canadian government last month that it would stop assisting with the Sussexes' security.
The couple, in a statement released through a spokesperson, said: "The duke and duchess have no plans to ask the US government for security resources. Privately funded security arrangements have been made."
Meghan grew up in Los Angeles and her mother, Doria Ragland, still lives in the city.
The former actress has a network of friends and work contacts in Los Angeles, where she could restart her career.
Disney announced on Thursday that she will narrate a new film about a family of African elephants.
Harry was reportedly caught in a hoax telephone call recently in which he attacked Mr Trump for his stance on climate change.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will formally retire from royal duties on March 31.
