How Prince Charles protected Camilla before their marriage
Prince Harry has now been advised to follow his father's example
Prince Charles protected Duchess Camilla before their marriage by employing retired police officers, a palace source has revealed.
- Prince Charles privately paid 'retired' officers to be Duchess Camilla's security before they married, according to royal sources.
- Prince Harry, who is currently refusing to return to the UK over a security conflict, has now been urged to do the same.
- In other royal news, Zara and Mike Tindall confuse Australian interviewer with tropical background.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall may currently enjoy round-the-clock security, but it hasn't always been that way.
Camilla Parker Bowles was not entitled to police protection until she married into the Royal Family in 2005, despite having been in a public relationship with Charles since 1999.
It's understood that the future King, concerned for his high-profile partner's safety, decided to fund her security privately instead—an idea that has now been recommended to relieve Prince Harry's fears over lack of protection for Meghan and his children in the UK.
According to an unearthed Guardian article from 2002, Charles hired "two full-time security staff" to protect Camilla, paying for their services out of his own pocket rather than the royal protection budget. It has since been revealed that these two guards were retired PPOs (Police Protection Officers).
"These elite ex-officers know all the protocols and could liaise with active protection officers," royal expert Russell Meyers said on Twitter.
He then suggested that the Duchess of Sussex take a similar approach to protecting his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children on his next visit to Britain. Prince Harry has offered to personally pay for his family's security in the UK but is reportedly determined to have the Scotland Yard police, rather than retired officers, do the job.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
"If Harry wants 'Scotland Yard' protection when he comes to the UK why doesn’t he pay the going rate for a retired S014 PPOs [police protection officers] like Charles did for Camilla for years before they married," Russell added.
Prince Harry is now threatening to sue the Home Office for refusing to allow him to pay for Scotland Yard security. The conflict has shed doubts over reports that he would fly back to London for a long-awaited Royal Family reunion at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this summer.
Meanwhile, the Duke's legal representative has released the following statement:
"Prince Harry inherited a security risk at birth, for life. He remains sixth in line to the throne, served two tours of combat duty in Afghanistan, and in recent years his family has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats.
"While his role within the institution has changed, his profile as a member of the royal family has not. Nor has the threat to him and his family.
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed whilst in the UK. In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home."
Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
Gillian Anderson just wore this pretty high street dress - it's perfect for summer and it's now in the sale
Her floral midi dress from Reiss is spot on for any occasions you might have in the diary
By Caroline Parr Published
-
Duchess Sophie has a spring in her step in strawberry red dress and gold initial necklace as she recreates Beatles moment
Duchess Sophie's strawberry red dress makes a real impact with its fabulously vibrant colour and it's so perfect for spring
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Royal coronations throughout the years – the interesting facts you may not know
From King Charles III's recent coronation to traditions from coronations centuries ago – here's everything you need to know about royal coronations
By Amy Hunt Published
-
32 candid photos of Prince Harry that show his goofy side, from questionable dance moves to being the family joker
From a young age, Prince Harry has always found time to lighten the mood...
By Jack Slater Published
-
The 32 funniest candid Royal Family balcony moments
We look back at some of the best candid royal family balcony moments from across the years
By Elena Kiratzi Published
-
The 52p ingredient King Charles has on his afternoon snack is such an aromatic addition and we can't wait to try it
There's a very affordable and unique ingredient King Charles reportedly has on his afternoon snack and it sounds so delicious
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s wedding day changed at the last minute as a royal ‘mark of respect’
King Charles and Queen Camilla's wedding day was postponed just days before out of 'respect' as the groom stepped up to put duty first
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton and King Charles's 'strong relationship' has been 'cemented' by cancer diagnoses, expert claims
The Princess of Wales and King might reportedly find it 'comforting' to be able to 'confide' in each other at this challenging time
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
The most romantic moments between King Charles and Queen Camilla - from candid pictures to sweet anecdotes about their relationship
King Charles and Queen Camilla's love story has not been without its bumps, but there's no denying the pair have had some real fairy tale moments...
By Jack Slater Published
-
The Royal Family's bizarre sandwich rule to protect King Charles
The Royal Family reportedly have a very unusual rule when it comes to sandwiches and it's all to do with a surprising superstition
By Emma Shacklock Published