Andrew to keep his police bodyguards
PRINCE Andrew will continue having taxpayer-funded, round-the-clock police protection after a full review of his security by the Metropolitan Police and Home Office.
The review was revealed in January after the Queen stripped her second-eldest son of his military and charitable affiliations, as well as stopping him from using his HRH title.
He later agreed to a significant financial settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who brought a legal case against him in the US and claimed he sexually abused her three times in 2001 when she was 17 after being trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The settlement was originally claimed to cost £12million but reports last weekend asserted Andrew’s lawyers negotiated a cutprice deal between £3million to £ million. The Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures assessed the security threat against Andrew but concluded he was still entitled to police bodyguards, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Andrew will continue to have a personal protection officer whenever he leaves his home. The 30-room Royal Lodge on the Queen’s Windsor estate has permanent security arrangements.
Andrew no longer undertakes official royal duties. The current day-to-day activities of the disgraced prince are unknown beyond horse riding and regular visits to the Queen.
The official royal security of Andrew’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, was removed several years ago while other non-working royals, including Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, do not receive such arrangements as adults.
Andrew’s security is estimated to cost the public purse between £2million and £3million annually.
Scotland Yard said it does not comment on the protection of the Royal Family. Buckingham Palace declined to comment and Andrew’s team did not respond.