Prince Andrew to lose his royal protection

Prince Andrew found out earlier this month that a civil sex abuse case brought against him by accuser Virginia Giuffre will go forward, despite his attempts to have it dismissed. Following his sex-assault lawsuit, the Duke of York was stripped of his royal title and all military honours last week. Additionally, the Duke will also no longer be permitted to use the title 'His Royal Highness.’

This also means that he will confront his US lawsuit as a private citizen and will not be able to use royal rights to defend himself. In light of the situation, he may soon lose his state-funded royal protection. The Metropolitan Police and the Home Office are now conducting a complete review of Andrew's security.

Long-time due

The loss of royal protection was long anticipated and awaited. Prince Andrew was poised to lose all three of his protection officers in June 2020 due to a Home Office cost-cutting review. However, the Queen intervened and kept them. The salary, flights, bonuses, and lodgings for each of his minders are estimated to be about £100,000 each year. According to one of the sources who spoke to MailOnline,

Although no one will comment on it publicly, this is an issue that is now actively being discussed by the Met's Royal and VIP Executive Committee.

The situation [as regards Harry] is awkward and may prompt a decision sooner rather than later. If Harry, who is no longer a working royal, does not get security in the UK, then why should Andrew?

It comes after Prince Harry filed a lawsuit against the government over the removal of his police bodyguards. Harry wants to bring his son Archie and baby daughter Lilibet to visit from the United States.

Not so royal anymore

While Harry wishes to come back home, his legal representative has confirmed it will be too dangerous for him and his family to return. He offered to pay for the police protection himself, but the government declined his offer. Harry and Prince Andrew should ideally be entitled to royal protection as long as they hold royal titles. However, as the royal titles are taken away, the royal security should be taken away too. Prince Andrew is currently protected by Scotland Yard 24*7 as a senior royal.

His children - Beatrice and Eugenie got state protection until 2011, but now have to foot the expense themselves. A former head of royal security at Scotland Yard, Dai Davies confirmed

It is a big step, although the likely risk is small, and there would be strong arguments to be made that he does not require 'PPO' [personal protection officer] status if he is no longer a working royal.