Camilla's high security

Jul 25, 2006, 14:19 GMT

British taxpayers will pay £1.8 million for improved security at the Duchess of Cornwall's country house.

Round the clock policing, high-tech surveillance equipment and a four-bedroom police lodge have been ordered for Camilla's Raymill House in Wiltshire.

A local firm will reportedly be paid £850,000 to build the security lodge and other costs include the construction of a new tree-lined road leading up to Camilla's private property and a police car port.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'The bulk of the cost for the police control facility and other associated works at Raymill House are being met centrally by the Home Office.'

'We don't comment on security but the additional work that is being undertaken has been initiated by the Home Office.'

Clarence House has justified the cost by saying Camilla still considers Raymill House to be her family home - even though she spends little time there and her husband Prince Charles has three other residences.

A source told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: 'There was no reason for her to keep this house after her marriage to Charles. She lives at Highgrove, Charles' Gloucestershire home which is just a few miles away. But she has no intention of giving it up.'

The latest figures have made a mockery of the claim Charles' private secretary made last month, stating that Camilla cost the taxpayer just £2,000 a year.

Camilla bought the Georgian house for £850,000 following her divorce from Andrew Parker Bowles in 1995.

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