Kate says no to bodyguard

Aug 7, 2006, 14:04 GMT

The girlfriend of Britain's Prince William has refused to have a bodyguard.

Kate Middleton has reportedly been advised to beef up her security following the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

However, despite mounting fears over the safety of high-profile western figures, the 24-year-old brunette has turned down Buckingham Palace's offer of 24-hour protection.

A source told Britain's Sunday Express newspaper: 'Kate's a bright girl and she accepts that there are going to be constraints on a girl who's dating Prince William but she thinks it would be far too much to have a personal protection team.'

Kate - who has been dating William for three years - also does not want to be seen to be exploiting her royal connections.

The source added: 'It would be rather presumptuous when the pair aren't even engaged. She doesn't want anyone to think she is getting above her station.'

However, Kate's refusal to step up her security, in the face of a 'severe' terror risk in the UK, has left the royal family feeling uneasy.

A royal source was quoted as saying: 'I know Kate wants her independence but she is now an important person who needs a full-time guard by highly-trained professionals.

'Because she has been with Prince William for a long time and has been talked of as the future queen we need to be looking after her now.'

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International