Police cash plea as royal weddings bill soars to £6m
POLICE in Windsor revealed yesterday they are having to ask for extra money to foot the huge security bill for two royal weddings this year.
The operation for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s nuptials in May could cost the Thames Valley force up to £4million.
On Friday, police will again be on royal duty for Princess Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank, which could lead to a bill of up to £2million.
This figure is said to have rocketed after the couple opted for a carriage ride around the streets, as Harry and Meghan did after their wedding.
Both couples also chose to say their vows at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The cost of security for the Duke and Duchess’s big day has ‘not yet been finalised’ but the bill is expected to come in between £2million and £4million.
A ‘formal special grant request’ will go to the Home Office in due course, said Matthew Barber, Thames Valley Police’s deputy police and crime commissioner.
‘The policing of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding was a complicated operation involving a number of organisations and the cost incurred by Thames Valley and other forces has not yet been finalised,’ he added.
The figures compare with the estimated £100,000 a day for policing protests against President Donald Trump’s visit.
Most senior royals will be attending Friday’s wedding but the couple are also inviting 1,200 members of the public into the castle grounds to watch proceedings. Along with their carriage ride, this has massively increased the police resources needed.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed the Royal Family will be personally paying for the wedding, including the reception, but security is a police matter.
Yesterday a fleet of luxury cars arrived at the Berkshire town, presumably for Friday’s wedding, including a new £250,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
Large crowds are expected on the day and the Thames Valley force says it will run a significant security operation with higher numbers of armed and unarmed officers on patrol.
However, prime hotel rooms were still available throughout the town, in comparison to Harry and Meghan’s big day when they were booked solid for months.
Prices at some accommodation have even been cut to attract takers. Airbnb has rooms from £40 while the Harte and Garter, the pub hotel directly in front of the castle which was overrun in May, still has rooms for just £79.
Well-wishers were previously urged to get into town in plenty of time. But this time the council has simply warned that the Windsor car parks may be busier than usual while there are no plans to lay on any extra trains.
Lynne Jones, leader of the opposition at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, was supportive of the royals. She said: ‘We choose to live in Windsor and are used to royal events, which bring a great deal of tourism into the borough. It’s a far smaller wedding than May, so I am not sure people are that unhappy.’
The wedding will be live on ITV’s This Morning and also go out in the US on TLC, better known for shows such as My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding.
‘A complicated operation’