Queen's fury over Scotland Yard's cost-cutting drive with Royal Family security shake up
THE Queen is concerned a reported Scotland Yard cost cutting drive will result in royal protection officers being chosen from a revolving rota system - leading her family to be guarded by a host of different bodyguards they barely know.
The Metropolitan Police has changed the way the royals will be guarded and are now picking protection officers on an ad hoc basis rather than assigning one person to protect a particular royal for a period of time.
Scotland Yard appears to be making the changes as part of a cost cutting drive and as an overall shake-up.
The elite crime squad has now combined protection for the Royal Family and Government Ministers under one organisation dubbed the Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) group.
The Royals were previously guarded by the SO14 Royalty and Diplomatic Protection department.
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All members of the Royal Family used to be given their own around-the-clock bodyguard.
But this has now changed in a bid to drive down costs and they will be guarded by the same officers who protect ministers, visiting heads of states, celebrities and ambassadors.
The Queen is reportedly worried about the move as it will make it harder to get to know the individual officers who guard her family.
A source told the London Evening Standard: “Her Majesty is not the only one who has expressed concerns. A number of senior officers are not happy either. Personal protection is all about building a relationship with the principal.
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“How on earth is that supposed to happen if the officers are rotated every five minutes with new faces?”
The changes will likley have an impact on the newest recruit to the Royal Family - Prince Harry's fiance Meghan Markle.
It will also have an impact on more senior royals - such as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard told Express.co.uk: “We won’t discuss anything related to the protection of the Royal Family.”
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Scotland Yard has been battling to reduce its budget by launching a series of initiatives.
It recruited an extra 120 armed officers for the role to protect the royals in November 2016.
The job advert stated: “It’s a varied and rewarding role, where you’re trusted to protect the worlds most powerful and influential people, both nationally and overseas.
“As part of this key Met Police specialist team, you won’t just be safeguarding London – you could be protecting lives.
“Your main task is to provide armed close protection to members of the Royal Family, senior government ministers, and visiting foreign dignitaries. Identifying potential threats and ways to minimise risks and vulnerabilities.”
“You may be required to work long hours, often away from home, sometimes for extended periods. Clear communication, leadership and team working skills will be vital.”
