Guards say they are ‘wet nursing’ royals

Angry bodyguards for the Royal Family have joined the row over the cost of round-the-clock security for minor royals as they flit between nightclubs. The protection officers say too much time and money is wasted on "wet nursing" the likes of Princess Beatrice and her sister Eugenie, and that they have been reduced to "mere chauffeurs and gofers".

The cost to taxpayers of protecting the daughters of Prince Andrew is believed to be around £500,000 annually. Princess Beatrice, 19, is currently on a gap year, partying in Argentina, Brazil and Belgium – always in the company of a bodyguard. While she was in Spain, Scotland Yard is reported to have sent for reinforcements to keep up with her late-night antics.

Senior police sources have revealed that Scotland Yard's bill for royal protection - funded by the taxpayer - will top £30m this year. But Royal Protection Squad officers say such costs are no longer justified with the threat to the Royal Family judged to be at its lowest level for 20 years. A squad member told the Daily Mirror: "Performing tasks like looking after the Duke of York's daughters when they are out nightclubbing or swanning around the world does stick in the throat of some Royal Protection Officers." (Continued below)

Prince Andrew has apparently refused requests to ease off on his daughters' security arrangements. This contrasts with Princess Anne's son Peter and daughter Zara - a high-profile showjumper - who do not receive routine protection because their mother is said to consider it a waste of public money.