MINOR MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY TO LOSE POLICE PROTECTION

THE DAUGHTERS OF PRINCE ANDREW ARE TO LOSE THEIR 24-HOUR POLICE PROTECTION AFTER A ROW ABOUT THE ANNUAL COST OF THEIR BODYGUARDS, IT IS UNDERSTOOD. CONCERNS HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED FOR A LONG TIME BY SUCCESSIVE METROPOLITAN POLICE COMMISSIONERS OVER THE £500,000 A TEAR BILL PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYER FOR PROVIDING PRINCESS EUGENIE AND PRINCESS BEATRICE, AND OTHER MINOR ROYAL WITH PERMANENT ARMED PROTECTION. THE COST OF GUARDING EUGENIE, WHO IS IN HER FIRST YEAR AT NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AT £250,000. INCLUDED IN THE COST ARE THE SALARIES, ACCOMMODATION, LIVING AND TRAVEL EXPENSES OF TWO FULL-TIME BODYGUARDS, HER SISTER, WHO IS STUDYING IN LONDON, ALSO HAS THE ROUND THE CLOCK PROTECTION. ACCORDING TO THE SUNDAY TIMES A SECURITY REVIEW HAS PROPOSED THAT THE PRINCESSES BE STRIPPED OF THEIR POLICE PROTECTION AND HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY RAVEC, THE COMMITTEE FOR THE PROTECTION OF ROYALTY AND VIPs. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE PRINCESS WILL BE GIVEN PROTECTION FOR HIGH PROFILE EVENTS, THE PAPER ADDED. SIR PAUL STEPHENSON, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE, IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN TELLING THE HOME OFFICE FOR SOMETIME THAT THE MET CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE ESTIMATED £50 MILLION A YEAR IT COSTS TO PROTECT 22 MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, MANY OF WHOM ARE MINOR MEMBERS.