Prince Andrew has been forced to rehire his daughters' bodyguards out of his own pocket after losing a long fight to keep royal protection for them. The Duke of York will now fork out at least £250,000 a year to provide security for Princess Beatrice, 23, who has lost her Scotland Yard bodyguards. Sister Eugenie, 22, will lose her official guards when she finishes her degree at Newcastle University this year. Andrew's annual bill could then double to £500,000. The three ex-Yard men are experienced protection officers who have looked after Andrew and both the princesses in the past. One was about to retire and the other two have taken early retirement from the Royalty Protection Squad to take up their new roles. Andrew is said to be deeply annoyed and frustrated at the decision to ax the princesses' security – after a Scotland Yard review into the £50million-a-year cost to taxpayers of protecting the royals. He said it was absurd that his girls – fifth and sixth in line to the throne – have had protection all their lives, only to have it withdrawn in a year with heightened security around the Diamond Jubilee and Olympics. A police source said: “He is very unhappy and has lobbied about it, but there is nothing he can do. Savings have to be made and the powers that be feel resources need to be concentrated on the senior royals. Bea and Eugenie do not carry out many royal duties and are protected when they are at home, so you can see the logic in it.”
