Britain will never leave the couple unguarded
SLASHING the Royal security arrangements for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be part of the negotiations at tomorrow’s crunch ‘Sandringham Summit’, The Mail on Sunday understands.
Buckingham Palace, the
Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill and the Home Office have already discussed the future of the couple’s taxpayerfunded bodyguards.
Their current security bill is estimated to be between £600,000 and £1million a year, but this cost is reduced by the fact that the couple currently live in Windsor – one of the most heavily protected parts of Britain.
There is an ongoing Whitehall review into who gets armed protection from the Metropolitan Police, with the threat assessment judged by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee led by independent retired official Sir Richard Mottram. Sources have told this newspaper that Security Minister Brandon Lewis and Home Secretary Priti Patel have stressed the importance of continued – if reduced – protection for the pair.
One Whitehall insider said: ‘Look at the terror threat, look at the rise of Right-wing extremists and look at who has been jailed already for what threats. There is no way the UK will turn their back on Harry and Meghan, but things will certainly have to be reviewed.’
The Sussexes will be told their protection team is likely to be scaled back if they take part in fewer Royal events.
The security level for Royals is increased due to the fact that their engagements are published in advance, leading to a greater threat.
However it is understood that the Metropolitan Police is keen to see the number of Royals and Ministers receiving the protection scaled back due to concerns about the spiralling security budget.
This review is also looking at the arrangements for Prince Andrew, who is no longer on frontline Royal duties following his disastrous BBC interview in the wake of the Epstein scandal.
After their announcement to step down from frontline Royal duties the Sussexes published the following statement on their SussexRoyal.com website: ‘It is long established policy not to comment upon the protective security arrangements and their related costs for members of the Royal Family or their residences.’