24 August 2023 , 16:52
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Prince Andrew has reportedly launched a desperate bid to win back his £3million-a-year tax-payer-funded armed security guards.
The disgraced Duke no longer has police protection after giving up his HRH title amid the outrage in his association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, as well as his out-of-court settlement in a US civil sex case.
The Home Office refused to comment on the claims, but one source told Mail Online: "Royal protection is always under review."
The 63-year-old now has backing from Dame Priti Patel, who emailed King Charles's principal private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, reportedly suggesting a review of the duke's protection could be considered.
Dame Priti told The Sun: "It is disappointing that this correspondence has been leaked into the public domain and I apologise to His Majesty for the embarrassment and difficulties the publishing of this correspondence has caused."
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Andrew gave up being a working royal in 2019 following a disastrous Newsnight interview. Virginia Giuffre also sued him for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by Epstein. Andrew has repeatedly denied the claims.
Then in 2022, shortly before the legal settlement, his mother the late Queen stripped Andrew of all honorary military roles, and he then gave up his HRH title. Royal expert Ingrid Seward said last night: "The King will be deeply embarrassed by this — the issue is so controversial he won't go anywhere near it.
"Ms Patel should have known he has no power over these decisions. Her meddling was deeply unwise and deeply unfair on The King — and will damage Andrew's cause, not help it."
While he was a working royal, Andrew had been entitled to the taxpayer funded security detail made up of armed police who accompanied him on all visits outside Windsor in Berkshire. Under King Charles's reign, it's clear he is still insistent on a slimmed down monarchy which does not include brother Andrew.
The Home Office refused to comment on the claims when approached by the Mirror.