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Prince Andrewwill keep his taxpayer-funded security asPrince Harrycontinues his legal battle for U.K. police protection for his family, according to reports.
The Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) determined that Andrew is still entitled to public-funded bodyguards despite stepping back from royal duties,The Telegraphreports.
The cost of his personal security detail is estimated to cost between $600,000 and $3.6 million annually, according to the outlet.
Andrew hasnot participated in any royal event— apart from accompanying his mother to a thanksgiving service for his late fatherPrince Philipin March — since his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light.
In February, Andrew lost the remaining public accouterments of royal life after settling his lawsuit with his sexual abuse accuser Virginia Guiffre. Andrew has denied the claims she made against him.
Several years ago, Andrew’s daughters,Princess BeatriceandPrincess Eugeniestopped receiving royal security protection, according toThe Telegraph.
The RAVEC decision comes as Harry, 37, continueshis legal battleto receive U.K. police protection for his family with two ongoing lawsuits.
In July, Harry won the right to challenge the status of the U.K. security arrangements put in place following hisdecision to step backfrom frontline royal duties.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Seth Wenig/AP/Shutterstock
The decision means that the legal action will now proceed to a full hearing at the High Court in London between Harry and the U.K. government — an unprecedented situation in modern times.
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Harry’s legal team has previously stated that Harry “does not feel safe” bringing children Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1, to the U.K. under this arrangement because his U.S. security team does not have jurisdiction in the U.K. or access to U.K. government intelligence.
Earlier this month, Harry filed a second lawsuit looking at the decision that people are not allowed to privately fund their own security, an offer which the Duke of Sussex allegedly made and was refused.
source: people.com
