PRINCE Andrew’s daughters, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, are to be stripped of their 24-hour protection.

They cost the taxpayer an annual bill of £500,000. The princesses have not helped their cause by being photographed coming out of London nightclubs in the early hours, with protection officers in tow.

When they finish university, the princesses will pursue their own careers and will have no formal role within the royal family. So stopping 24-hour protection now will save the public purse a great amount of money. If Prince Andrew wishes 24-hour protection, then he should pay it himself.

Tom Mitchell, Mendip Close, Huntington, York.