Princess Eugenie wedding: Prince Andrew should fund '拢2m security costs', says Labour MP
The British politician tells Sky News that the royal family should not rely on the public purse to fund the huge wedding costs.
Friday 17 August 2018 18:58, UK
Princess Eugenie's reported 拢2m wedding security bill facing taxpayers "is completely unacceptable", according to a Labour MP.
The 28-year-old daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Duchess of York is set to wed Jack Brooksbank in St George's Chapel on 12 October in a society event attended by a host of famous faces.
The wedding was initially said to be costing around £750,000 and was set to be paid for by the couple's parents, but security costs have more than doubled it to almost £2m, according to the Daily Mirror.
Campaigners have criticised the move, with Labour politician Chris Williamson stating that the "fabulously wealthy" Prince Andrew should fund the extra costs.
In an interview with Sky News, he said the royals have decided to have a "glitzy wedding" while Britain struggles through eight years of austerity with "people sleeping in shop doorways".
"There is no need to have such a glamorous event," he said.
"Prince Andrew - who is fabulously wealthy with an estimated worth of £65m - should foot the bill himself".
He added that the royals should not rely on the public purse to fund the wedding - and that it was "perfectly adequate" for Princess Anne's children to have less high-profile ceremonies.
He said following eight years of funding cuts with police numbers being reduced, the costs were "completely unacceptable" in the circumstances.
"Who's heard of Princess Eugenie anyway? She carries no royal functions, no useful purpose to the public sphere and yet we're having to spend this kind of money," Mr Williamson continued.
The extra money will reportedly draft in officers on overtime rates, with dozens required to search the open-top carriage procession route in advance.
There will also be a blanket ban on drones flying over the event, which is taking place at the same Windsor location as where Prince Harry and Meghan tied the knot in May.
The second royal wedding of the year is expected to be a glamorous affair, with A-listers including George Clooney, Eddie Redmayne and Cindy Crawford expected to attend.