The daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson lost their high-level security protection in 2011, with their father reportedly left “furious” by the move
As the daughters of Prince Andrew, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie balance being members of the Royal Family with careers in the outside world.
And it seem the pair ended up previously losing one privilege often afforded to members of the Firm – in a move that reportedly left their father the Duke of York ‘furious’.
Around the clock police protection is usually reserved for the most senior members of the royal family, such as King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince of Princess of Wales. Other members of the Firm, such as Princess Anne and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, only get such security when carrying out official engagements.
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But in 2011, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were also receiving 24-hour security, which was axed after a row about royal funding, which did not go down well with the Duke of York.
In fact, one royal expert said the then Prince Charles was forced to intervene in the debate about the extraordinary costs of Beatrice and Eugenie’s security after it caused a row behind palace walls.
It is believed Charles stepped in after Eugenie, who was 21 at the time, racked up huge security costs as she travelled the world on her gap year.
A report published at the time suggested Eugenie spent more than £100,000 of taxpayers’ money as she explored India, America, Thailand and South Africa. She is believed to have paid for hotels and travel herself, but the massive security bill, including overtime money, was funded by the taxpayer.
Speaking on the Channel 5 documentary titled Beatrice and Eugenie: Pampered Princesses?, royal expert Richard Kay said: “She was sort of flitting from country to country as most middle-class young people do who take gap years.
“But, of course, she was accompanied by police bodyguards. That meant that we the taxpayers were paying for policemen to accompany her to the fleshpots of the world.”
Charles reportedly stepped in to control the spending but the King’s suggestion was not reportedly welcomed by his brother Prince Andrew however, who was left so “furious” that he contacted his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, for guidance.
Angela Levin also told the show: “Prince Charles decided that as they were not likely to be very senior royals, that this was too much for the public to pay, so he stopped that. Prince Andrew was so angry that he wrote a note to the Queen. He said he wanted them to be considered as proper royals. He did not want the protection officers to leave them.”
It is now understood that both princesses, who are not working royals, have any security they need paid for privately.
