Police protection for princesses

[Cinderella]

There has been debate recently about whether taxpayers should pay for bodyguards for Britain's Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. After listening to Marilyn Braun's recent Royal Report about this issue, I thought I'd ask board members what they think.

(Unfortunately, you can't vote in the poll unless you register for the board, but everyone is free to comment.)

[Ibelieveinfairytales]

I read that Beatrice has been guarded from birth. Given that they don't carry out public duties, I don't think they need full-time protection. If they did I'd think differently. But I really don't see the point, they're 5th & 6th in line for the throne and most people outside of the UK are unlikely to recognize them. If they're at a high profile event then yes I think they should.

I don't think she receives protection, (and that's probably the way that Princess Anne likes it), but I'd like to know whether Zara Philips actually has some type of protection when she's at a high profile event. At the moment she has a far higher profile than Beatrice & Eugenie. Because of this, it seems more likely that something could happen to her, that she could be harrassed.

[HRISMH Duke Rico]

Given that they are currently inside the top 10 on the list of succession (Zara is 12th ), in case something happens to their cousins and uncle, but until they start undertaking royal duties their family should pay for their protection. Same should go for Lady (Princess) Louise and Viscount Severn (Prince James) if they ever undertake royal duties.

[princessoftides13]

yes

[thtregoddess2011]

They perform royal duties or attend official functions, yes. Otherwise, on a regular basis when they are off playing high priced socialites with titles (in London clubs, at Fashion weeks, attending college classes, etc), No.
their aunt Sophie lost hers recently to save taxpayer money and she performed roughly 200 royal duties both domestically and internationally on the queens behalf, yet the Yorks failed to attend to ANY royal duties in 2011, and both retain theirs. RIDICULOUS.

Bottom line: If they are FULL TIME WORKING royals (Charles, Camilla, Anne, Edward, Sophie, Andrew, Phillip & Elizabeth), they should be entitled to it as a payment for their services. Other than that, only when attending official functions (Do YOU need a body guard when hanging out with your friends? Didn't think so. Nor do they).

[urbane]

I seem to agree with most in this one. They only need a hint of protection at major events otherwise there is no need for protection.