Prince William fears dissident republican attack

Mar 16, 2009, 11:35 GMT

Britain's Princes William and Harry are being protected by machine-gun toting protection officers due to fears they could be targeted by dissident republican terrorists.

Scotland Yard are reportedly concerned the royal brothers could be targeted following the murders of two soldiers and a policeman in Northern Ireland by the Real IRA (Irish Republican Army) and Continuity IRA last week.

Officers are said to be worried the princes' high-profile Army careers, as well as their love of nights out at London bars, could put them at risk.

A source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "The princes are regarded as legitimate targets by these madmen. The number of royalty protection officers has been increased from two to three and they are reinforced by a backup team of two.

"No risks are being taken. William and Harry like to get about in London when they are not on duty and that makes them vulnerable."

Soldiers Mark Wuinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, were killed as they collected a pizza from a delivery driver at their barracks.

Nine people have been arrested in relation to the deaths of the soldiers and policeman Stephen Carroll.

Meanwhile, Prince Andrew has ordered his 18-year-old daughter Princess Eugenie to cancel plans for a gap-year trip to South America.

Eugenie - who checked out of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel days before it was targeted in the Mumbai terrorist attacks last year - was due to travel to Mexico, Bolivia and Peru with friends, but Andrew has ruled the trip could put her at risk.

A source said: "Eugenie has respected her father's wishes and revised all of her plans. She is the least precious person and hates having to travel everywhere with a protection officer."

Eugenie is now planning to visit Los Angeles and Sydney instead. While in Australia, she will stay with her mother Sarah, the Duchess of York's, sister Jane Luedecke.

The source explained: "She'll spend time with her Aunt Jane and then go up country with friends. It's very much a backpacking trip.

"She's still keen to go to South America at some point and is planning to visit Argentina, where she will work on the farm of her late grandmother, Susan Barrantes."