British taxpayers have funded security for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie to the tune of between £100million and £150million, according to Dai Davies, the former head of royal protection.
The figure accounts for protection costs calculated at current values, though Mr Davies suggests the true amount could be even higher.
He claimed: "I estimate, over his lifetime, by today's standards, the British public have spent in the region of well over £100million to £150million in today's money on him and his family."
Since losing his taxpayer-funded security in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II's second son has been relying on private protection.
Britons paid '£100million' towards Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor security, according to Dai Davies, the former head of royal protection
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Mr Davies believes this likely involves round-the-clock coverage, with sources indicating former royalty protection officers are providing the service.
Such arrangements come at considerable expense, with Mr Davies estimating former Scotland Yard officers would command salaries of up to £90,000 annually.
The cumulative cost encompasses far more than basic protection salaries, Mr Davies explained.
"It would have cost reconnaissance, it would have cost travel, it would have cost hotels," he told Hello!. "And royalty protection officers normally travel business class, and they would never stay in less than four or five-star hotels, and that's before he gets there."
Andrew was arrested last month on his 66th birthday | REUTERSProtection extended beyond Mr Mountbatten-Windsor himself during his years as a working royal.
Sarah Ferguson received coverage while married to him, and their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, had full-time, round-the-clock security as part of the family's protection team.
The princesses lost their taxpayer-funded protection in 2011 following reported disputes over costs.
"So the mind just boggles how much this lot have cost the British taxpayers," Mr Davies remarked.
The question of how Mr Mountbatten-Windsor finances his private security remains open, though Mr Davies pointed to several potential sources.
Sarah Ferguson and Andrew divorced in 1996 but continue to live at Royal Lodge until 2025
| GETTY"He sold his house that his mummy bought for him, for a significantly higher price than expected, and he undoubtedly was left some money by the late Queen, his mother," Mr Davies noted.
The property in question, Sunninghill Park, was a 12-bedroom residence given to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and Ms Ferguson as a wedding gift.
The Ascot home fetched £15million when sold in 2007 to Kazakh billionaire Timur Kulibayev.
Regarding any inheritance from Queen Elizabeth II, Mr Davies speculated: "If he was the favourite son, I can't imagine she would have left him penniless."
Andrew and Sarah moved to Sunninghill after their wedding
| PAMr Mountbatten-Windsor's taxpayer-funded protection ended in 2022, three years after he withdrew from public duties owing to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
His private security and allowance were subsequently terminated by King Charles in 2024.
Last year saw Mr Mountbatten-Windsor stripped of his titles and honours, and he was formally instructed to vacate Royal Lodge, which he left in early February.
He is currently residing temporarily at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk whilst renovations are completed at Marsh Farm, his intended permanent residence.
It was at Wood Farm where Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office earlier this year, with legal proceedings ongoing.