Prince Andrew is reportedly furious about the alleged decision to axe his taxpayer-funded police protection.
Discover our latest podcast
No more protection
It has reportedly been decided that the Duke of York will lose his armed protection, a privilege he got for previously being a working member of the Royal Family. The decision comes three years after Prince Andrew stepped down from official duties following his scandalous BBC Newsnight interview.
Speculation is that this move comes as Prince Andrew has repeatedly tried to plot his return to public life. His latest escapade was to Bahrain to try barter himself a role as an ‘unofficial middleman’. Axing the Duke’s police protection shows that the King wants to squash any hopes Prince Andrew might have still held.
According to reports, the decision will come into effect sometime in December.
Furious at the decision
Prince Andrew’s dispute is similar to the qualm the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had when they stepped down from official duties in 2020.
A source told The Sun:
He is going to write to the Home Office and the Met Police to complain about losing his taxpayer-funded security.
The publication accuses Prince Andrew of being a 'diva' for demanding continued taxpayer funding. However, his pleas are likely to fall on deaf ears with the British public as many people struggle with the rising cost of living, on top of being the most unpopular Royal Family member.
A Labour MP said:
He doesn’t seem to understand that he’s in disgrace and people don’t want to hear from him anymore — especially him with his begging bowl.
The MP continued:
I know families who don’t know if they will be able to afford their kids’ Christmas presents this year.
The cost of police protection
According to The Times, the Duke of York’s round-the-clock protection could cost anywhere between £500,000 and £3 million.
Prince Andrew is said to have three protection officers, each costing a minimum of £100,000 a year in ‘wages, flights, perks and hotels’. However, the exact amount is unknown, as neither Buckingham Palace nor the Metropolitan police.
One senior Labour MP claimed:
He has a title, but that doesn’t mean he is entitled to taxpayer-funded protection.
Sources used:
- The Times: Prince Andrew ‘furious’ after losing his police protection
- The Sun: GUN GUARD AXE Prince Andrew’s fury after £3m-a-year taxpayer-funded armed cops to be removed within weeks
- Express: Fury as UK taxpayer STILL forking out eye-watering amount to fund Prince Andrew security
