Home of Camilla Parker Bowles costs £2.6 million a year to guard

Jan 10, 2006, 6:54 GMT

The home Camilla Parker Bowles used to conduct her affair with Britain's Prince Charles reportedly costs £2.6 million a year to guard.

Camilla - who is now referred to as the Duchess of Cornwall since marrying the prince last April - hardly used the mansion and is thinking of giving it to son Tom and daughter Laura.

In the meantime, it is guarded 24 hours a day and there is still a police hut inside the gates.

Politicians have demanded to know why British taxpayers are footing the bill for the extreme security measures.

MP Ian Davidson of the Commons Public Accounts Committee said: "This sounds like an absurd waste of money.

"At a time when a lot of poorer areas are struggling to get adequate police cover, the Duchess of Cornwall's former home is getting 24-hour protection. It is an abuse of her position."

A friend of Camilla says she still uses the home as a getaway when Charles is busy or being "tricky".

One said: "She goes there quite often when Charles is doing his own thing.

"Charles has improved quite a bit but he is still capable of throwing tantrums. Having her own place means she can simply clear off and leave him to cool down."

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International