Camilla Parker Bowles' security request

May 30, 2006, 15:21 GMT

Britain's Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker-Bowles, has asked for permanent police watch at her country home.

The aristocrat - who is married to Britain's Prince Charles - has submitted the request to her local police authority in Wiltshire, England.

In her proposal the Duchess has asked for a new police control facility on her Ray Mill House estate and improvements to the driveway to ensure easier access to the house.

According to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, the requests have caused an outrage amongst taxpayers, as the estate - which Camilla is said to hardly ever use - reportedly already costs £2.6 million to protect.

The Commons Public Accounts Committee - a regulating body for public accounts in Britain - blasted the duchess for spending the taxpayers' money and accused her of 'abusing' her position last year (05).

However the royal aides have defended the request, insisting that a similar routine is applied to protect the homes of most members of the royal family.

Gemma Smith, a royal spokeswoman, said: 'The plans need to be considered in the normal way. The application is for a police control facility to be built to replace a temporary structure.

'At the same time the driveway is being re-routed for easier police access.'

The Duchess bought the 27 acre estate - then worth £850,000 - in 1996, after she split from her first husband Andrew Parker Bowles.

Camilla used Ray Mill House earlier this month (05.06) to host the wedding reception of her daughter Laura, who married Calvin Klein model Harry Lopes in a lavish ceremony.

The pretty blonde wed the grandson of the late Lord Astor of Hever, at the local church of St Cyriac's.

The bride's brother Tom Parker Bowles arrived an hour early to help organise the 400 guests.

Her stepfather, prince Charles, arrived with Camilla, followed by Princes William and Harry.

Other guests included William's long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton, but there was no sign of Harry's partner Chelsy Davy.

Rev Sally Westbrook, who performed the ceremony, said: 'They are a lovely couple. The village is thrilled she has chosen to married here.'

The ceremony sparked talk that William and his brunette girlfriend, who both looked happy and tanned after a Caribbean break in Mustique, are going to be the next royal couple to walk up the aisle.

One family friend said: 'Kate looked breathtaking and suddenly very royal.'

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International