MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry’s new Royal home, a Grade-II listed cottage in the grounds of Frogmore, could run up a massive security bill to the UK taxpayer, a former protection officer has claimed.
The Royal couple will make the move away from Kensington Palace, where Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, will remain with their three children. Security arrangements at the Sussexes’ new abode could rack up a huge bill to the UK taxpayer, it has been claimed. The costs of making the grounds and buildings safe could reach a massive £5million.
The bombshell suggestion was made by Ken Wharfe, a former Royal close protection officer.
The former Royal bodyguard told the Daily Mirror: “The costs of building and security arrangements could balloon to £5million in the first year.
“There is no protection at Frogmore, there is no one living there.
“There are costs of at least two or three private protection officers and to make sure the estate is policed adequately by Thames Valley Police.
“There will have to be major reviews of the security surrounding that property, exposed on virtually every side.”
The five-bed home, nestled the 33-acre Frogmore estate in Windsor Castle’s Home Park grounds, is a mere 200 metres from a public path named the Long Walk.
It is also where Meghan and Harry plan to settle down with their first child next spring, meaning drastic security measures will need to be put in place.
At some points, a six-foot wall is all that separates the cottage from public roads, signifying local police (Thames Valley force and Met Police) and Royal protection teams will need to devise 24/7 security measures.
Mr Wharfe, who used to be in charge of Princess Diana’s security, claimed the entire operation would be a “mammoth task” would require “dramatic” investment.
He said: “It’ll be a dramatic rise to the taxpayer.
“Thames Valley is no different from any other service that has seen cuts of 20-25 percent, this will be a tremendous strain on their budget.
“It’s a mammoth task.
“The costs of fitting and maintaining security equipment, with further officers in the area, could cost further millions each year.”
Labour’s Kensington MP Emma Dent Coad, a well known anti-monarchist, questioned whether the costs were reasonable, given the current homelessness problem in the UK.
She said: “In a world of growing homelessness, how can this be justified?”
Met Police said: “We don’t comment on matters related to protective security.”
Kensington Palace said: “Windsor is a very special place for their Royal Highnesses and they are grateful that their official residence will be on the estate.”
