Prince William - an additional £1.4m for his protection

Prince William - an additional £1.4m for his protection

Prince William is under fire again…

Prince William’s decision to live outside his RAF base will cost the taxpayer £1.4 million a year, it has been revealed. As second in line to the throne, the prince is classified as the highest security risk and has round-the-clock armed protection.

A 15-strong unit of armed officers from North Wales Police has been set up to protect the Prince as he undertakes a three-year helicopter pilot training course at RAF Valley on Anglesey. The bill for providing round-the-clock armed protection at the island retreat means North Wales Police will lose 15 frontline officers unless it is given additional public funds.

William is renting a secluded country cottage near the port of Holyhead rather than living at the heavily protected RAF base so he can spend more time with his girlfriend, Kate Middleton, and their friends.

The extra cost of protecting him outside the base has infuriated police chiefs at a time when force budgets are being slashed and royal protection funding is under intense scrutiny.

A spokesman for Clarence House refused to discuss policing arrangements. He added: “Prince William has lived off-base for almost two years now and he’s lived in this particular cottage since about March. It isn’t new. For an officer of his age and rank it is quite normal to live off-base for reasons of privacy. Obviously if you live on base, when you are off-duty you only have your room to go to. This is what most officers do, especially when they become operational which the prince will be in the autumn.”

Articles: Daily Mail | The Express

Prince William is tickled by Rory Bremner the racy court jester

Princes William and Harry are amused as Rory Bremner makes them the butt of his jokes at a charity event.

At a fundraiser for the Great Western Air Ambulance last weekend, the television impressionist joked that William was interested in air ambulances only because he liked to use the helicopters to drop off his girlfriend, Kate Middleton, who was also present.

The fancy-dress event at the Beaufort Polo Club had a cowboy theme and Bremner lamented that Harry could not wear his Nazi uniform.

Paul Weir, the charity’s chief executive, says: “How refreshing that Princes William and Harry were able to share in Rory Bremner’s jokes, even if they were at the expense of their Royal Highnesses. Their sense of fun and good humour really put the seal on a wonderful event.”

Article: The Telegraph

While Harry was at polo, Prince William played charity cricket

He’s second in line to the throne… but Prince William was third to bat at a cricket match on Saturday. William got nine runs at the charity game organised by a pal in Bledington, Oxon, before being caught.

Article: The Mirror

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