In a recent development, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has reportedly launched a bid to regain his £3 million-a-year taxpayer-funded armed security from the Home Office.
This move comes after he was stripped of his protection as a senior royal, following the fallout from his association with Jeffrey Epstein and a US civil sex assault case brought against him by Virginia Giuffre.
The disgraced duke, aged 63, is said to desire the return of his bodyguards to provide public security.
Prince Andrew’s security detail was rescinded when he relinquished his HRH style, amid the controversy surrounding his ties to the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
Furthermore, his involvement in an out-of-court settlement related to a US civil sex case led to the withdrawal of his police protection.
The Home Office, however, has refrained from commenting on this matter, while acknowledging that royal protection is regularly reviewed.
Dame Priti Patel, a prominent figure in UK politics, was reported to have engaged in correspondence regarding the review of Prince Andrew’s security.
The leaked email also referenced security arrangements for the Duke of Sussex.
Dame Priti expressed regret over the leak and its repercussions.
The duke’s retreat from public life following a contentious Newsnight interview in 2019 marked a significant turning point.
Virginia Giuffre’s allegations of sexual assault, which she claims occurred when she was 17 and trafficked by Epstein, added to the controversy.
Despite Andrew’s denials, he reached a multimillion-pound out-of-court settlement in the US civil case.
Queen Elizabeth’s decision in January 2022 to strip Prince Andrew of his honorary military roles, alongside his abandonment of the HRH style, underscored his diminishing public role.
The ascension of King Charles brought forth a vision of a streamlined monarchy that excluded Prince Andrew.
Notably, reports surfaced suggesting that King Charles might personally finance his brother’s security team, although Buckingham Palace declined to comment on these speculations.
While he was an active member of the royal family, Prince Andrew benefited from taxpayer-funded security, comprising armed police who accompanied him on his public engagements.
However, his status change and the subsequent shift in royal priorities led to the removal of this security provision.
The ongoing debate about public financing for Prince Andrew’s security highlights the complexities of funding royal privileges and responsibilities.
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