Prince and Princess Michael of Kent Current Events 6: July 2011- Sep 2022

[Gaudete]

They have no police protection, as they do not represent t the BRF.

Thanks Muriel, I had a suspicion that was the case but I wasn’t sure. But I do think in today’s world that’s a bit of a risk quite honestly. This time it was only a beggar but if our MPs have police protection because of outside threats, surely Prince & Princess Michael should have at least one officer? It seems very naive. They might not carry out engagements but they’re still closely related.

 

[Osipi]

I would imagine that if the Kents did need protection, it would have to be funded by the Queen or by themselves personally as the members of the BRF that do have RPOs are provided and funded through the Metropolitan Police at Scotland Yard by the taxpayers.

The public is not going to be approving of providing protection for people that do not serve the people or the monarchy.

Members of Parliament are serving the government and the people hence they warrant protection.

 

[muriel]

Thanks Muriel, I had a suspicion that was the case but I wasn’t sure. But I do think in today’s world that’s a bit of a risk quite honestly. This time it was only a beggar but if our MPs have police protection because of outside threats, surely Prince & Princess Michael should have at least one officer? It seems very naive. They might not carry out engagements but they’re still closely related.

I see no argument for the government to fund security for somebody who is not even in the line of succession. Prince Michael and fill have no public role Nd are private citizens.

 

[sophie25]

It is still very dangerous for them to be on the streets without protection like this. They are an easy target for a terrorist and it would be a huge coup for an organisation like Islamic State to say they killed members of the royal family. I don't know what the answer is for them and other members of the family who don't have official protection.

 

[Gaudete]

I see no argument for the government to fund security for somebody who is not even in the line of succession. Prince Michael and fill have no public role Nd are private citizens.

Ten years ago I would agree. But we have sophisticated terror networks that would love a royal hostage, however junior. It doesn’t bear thinking about. Considering that the Shadow Culture Secretary has a police escort, I should think we could find the money to provide at least one officer for the Kents.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

I think to be in the line of succession or not is no argument for protection. It has to do with a risk profile. When an opinion maker voices inflammatory opinions, the security services can feel that this person has a certain risk profile and needs protection.

Prince and Princess Michael apparently have a low risk profile, in the eyes of the security services.

 

[Osipi]

I think I can be reasonably sure that if it was felt that the Kents do need protection and that there is a significant risk to them, the Queen, herself, would provide protection.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie do not warrant taxpayer funded RPOs yet they have them. Andrew pays for them out of his own pocket the last I heard.

 

[Gaudete]

But of course, these headlines could have been very different if it wasn’t just a group of beggars and was someone else with a weapon. That’s what I think is a concern, that people could get so close.

 

[muriel]

Ten years ago I would agree. But we have sophisticated terror networks that would love a royal hostage, however junior. It doesn’t bear thinking about. Considering that the Shadow Culture Secretary has a police escort, I should think we could find the money to provide at least one officer for the Kents.

Personally, I would much rather that the funds be used for the NHS.

 

[Gaudete]

That’s where we would differ I think. But it would be very boring if we all thought the same way

 

[Osipi]

On a normal, ordinary day, the activities of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent are not known or publicized as they pretty much live their lives as private citizens.

They just happened to be at LouLou's which is a prime spot for fine dining and would be a draw for beggars to accost any of the patrons there. Those that frequent LouLou's are more likely to have money to spare than those that frequent the local McDonalds or Burger King. Its just logical.

 

[Gaudete]

Which makes me wonder why the restaurant itself doesn't clear the entrance ways of people begging. It's illegal for a start, which allows most London venues to clear their doorways of people badgering patrons as they arrive and leave.

If you're paying a fortune for service, you'd at least think the restaurant could throw in a little privacy as you leave.

 

[Iluvbertie]

The Metropolitan Police will fund security for ordinary citizens IF they believe that it is warranted e.g. Salman Rushdie.

I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a review of the security around the minor royals and maybe there will be an increase in security and maybe not but there will certainly be a review after this incident.

Imagine the headlines if something more serious had happened.

 

[Somebody]

I see no argument for the government to fund security for somebody who is not even in the line of succession. Prince Michael and fill have no public role Nd are private citizens.

Prince Michael is back in the line to the throne as marriage to a catholic is no longer a reason for exclusion and those excluded on those grounds were reinstated.

Not sure that being in/someone's place in the line to the throne has a strong relationship to the need for protection - especially not for lower ranked family members. Arthur Chatto for example is much higher in line than the duke of Kent (and prince Michael) but less at risk than the duke or prince Michael as Arthur isn't a royal prince/duke.

 

[sophie25]

The words 'private citizens' suggest that we are talking about Mr and Mrs Joe Bloggs and that isn't the reality here. If any of the Queen's cousins were kidnapped or killed by terrorists it's a story that would go right around the world reported, and rightly so, as 'members of the royal family' have been killed/kidnapped. We can't underestimate what a major story that would be so when I see the Michaels ( but it could equally be other relatives) being accosted on the street like this I do feel very uneasy and think there should be some more security in place.

 

[Iluvbertie]

Totally agree - maybe something like a police presence when they are in public e.g. the local bobby standing around while they exit from the restaurant until they are in the car - not 24/7 and the full RPO bit that the Queen and her children and grandsons have but a bit more protection that there was there which was none.

 

[iceflower]

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On November 29 Prince Michael of Kent held a speech at the Russian-British Business Forum in London:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **

 

[Mirabel]

The public is not going to be approving of providing protection for people that do not serve the people or the monarchy.

I totally agree!
Imagine if they had to have protection for every member of the extended RF, any time they were out in public!

The cost would be astronomical.

Anyway, I don't think they were accosted because they are royal but because they are obviously wealthy people exiting a pricey establishment.
It should be up to the club to provide security.

 

[maria-olivia]

Prince Michael speaks the language but is he good in Business ?

 

[jacqui24]

I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a review of the security around the minor royals and maybe there will be an increase in security and maybe not but there will certainly be a review after this incident.

Imagine the headlines if something more serious had happened.

I honestly don't know if Kents would even be part of consideration if some royal's protection needs are looked at closer. We have to keep in mind that Sophie of Wessex doesn't even have full time RPO. I do, however, think the Queen's underage grandchildren, the Wessex children, should be afforded RPOs.

 

[Osipi]

Our own Dman has posted an excellent link in the "Royal Security" thread that really will give, in good detail, just why supplying protection for people like the Kents, Gloucesters (other than when representing the Queen) and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are just not viable options anymore.

Check out post #427 in this thread: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f23/royal-security-21145-22.html

 

[iceflower]

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Prince and Princess Michael of Kent attended the Bosphorus private book launch in London yesterday, December 14:


** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Gaudete]

Princess Michael's promo for her new book now available on audible. HRH recorded the audiobook personally. Whilst I'm not sure I'm entirely fascinated by cheetahs, I don't think I could resist 8 hours of Princess Michael's accent!

 

[Gaudete]

Changing the subject, I bought Princess Michael’s new Cheetah book on Audible yesterday. Not only is it well read but HRH is a great narrator! I really recommend it. It’s like spending 7 fascinating hours with the Princess over a cup of coffee.

 

[Mermaid1962]

I believe that he has some business directorships. That would give him experience.

Prince Michael speaks the language but is he good in Business ?

 

[tommy100]

I think to be in the line of succession or not is no argument for protection. It has to do with a risk profile. When an opinion maker voices inflammatory opinions, the security services can feel that this person has a certain risk profile and needs protection.

Prince and Princess Michael apparently have a low risk profile, in the eyes of the security services.

The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall are not in the line of succession but have protection. As such its clear that protection of provided based on assessments of the risk.

Lets be honest most people don't know who the Kents are. I did think it had been said in the past that the Prince at least received protection when on public duties (though that doesn't mean he gets his own bodyguards as such). Providing them protection to go to and from a private dinner is quite extreme. If the situation turned very nasty the police would have been called, and let's be honest if someone had said it was a member of the RF in danger I'm sure the police would have arrived even quicker if possible.

To be honest I'm not sure anyone would wish to have full time police protection is they could avoid it. It seems quite oppressive IMO and most people would probably be quite happy knowing they could go from chauffeur driven car -to a venue -to protected Palace apartment.

 

[Iluvbertie]

For many years all HRHs received 24/7 protection. About 10 - 15 years ago it was cut back to the children of the monarch and the spouse of the heir to the throne along with Charles' sons.

Kate and her children also have it 24/7.

As it was cut for Sophie - except when on official duties, along with the Gloucester's and Kent's (excluding the Michael's of Kent who were down to none) I would expect that in a few years that will be where Meghan is - as the wife of a younger son she shouldn't be getting more than the wife of the younger son today.

Remember that these guys have teams of 6 - 8 for 24/7 and if overseas for more than two weeks a second team has to be sent out to replace the initial team. Regardless of what class the royal chooses to travel the RPOs who aren't actually on duty at the time must fly first class along with their accommodation - if on duty with the royal but otherwise if must be 5 star (this was revealed when Eugenie was on her post-school gap year and was praised for staying at a hostel but it was soon revealed that 6 or her 8 RPOs, at the time, were staying at the nearby 5 star resort and as she was on a six month world trip every two weeks new teams were being sent out to replace the others.

This was one of the reasons why the York girls lost their protection and at the same time if was removed from all but the children of the monarch and the spouse of the heir apparent unless on official royal duties.

Andrew actually hired some of the RPOs away from the Met to continue protecting his daughters and paid them more. I believe Edward is doing something similar for Sophie and his kids but not as obviously and again lured those from the met if he could.

 

[eya]

Christina Oxenberg before of her book launch "Dynasty" in London meet with her cousin Prince Michael at his home

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfPbk2FFAil/?taken-by=christinaoxenberg

Christina is the daughter of Princess Elizabeth of Serbia

 

[iceflower]

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Prince Michael attended the Crufts dog show in Birmingham today, March 9:


** rex gallery ** dailymail article **

 

[iceflower]

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Yesterday, April 12, Prince Michael of Kent participated in a conference on the establishment of a Road Safety trust fund today at the UN Headquarters in New York City:


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