Kate Middleton is definitely facing a series of an unending controversies lately. It has been rumored that the Duchess of Cambridge is heading for divorce, pregnant with another child, battles postpartum depression, feuding with Queen Elizabeth II and so on. And now, latest report claims that Prince William's wife is only allowed to have female bodyguards. The reason? Read the full story below.
A royal insider recently revealed that Kate Middleton could only have female bodyguards as per the order of Prince Charles. According to Inquisitr, the 66-year-old Prince is allegedly scared that his son's wife might fall in love with a male bodyguard just like in the case of his late wife, Princess Diana.
"From the start, when Kate became engaged, it was Charles who made the woman-only stipulation, saying he didn't want her compromised in any way," a Scotland Yard's royal protection unit insider told Daily Express.
Due to Prince Charles' insistence, Kate Middleton will not surrounded with "men-in-suits" instead, she will strictly have female bodyguards only. The Duchess of Cambridge's main security and protection officer is Sgt. Emma Probert, a 43-year-old female bodyguard who has protected her since her engagement to Prince William in 2010. Probert is also married to Insp. Colin Childs, who is part of Queen Elizabeth's guard.
Kate Middleton is reportedly fond of Probert, who used to be an air hostess like her mom Carole. But when Probert is unavailable, Karen Llewellyn stands as her replacement. Prince George and Princess Charlotte are also being guarded by a female security officer.
Meanwhile, having female only bodyguards may seem strange for royal watchers since the royal family is used to have men as bodyguards, Radar Online noted. The choice of policewomen, however, does not surprise Princess Diana's former bodyguard Ken Wharfe.
"I've heard that Prince Charles is more involved in who is being appointed," Wharfe said. "And if he asks for more women he will get more women. The trouble with Diana was she got on better with men. She did have a woman once but she didn't last long. You have to have a good chemistry with the person you're looking after."
Speaking of Prince Charles' fears that Kate Middleton might end up having an affair with male bodyguard, Movie News Guide revealed that his late ex-wife Princess Diana allegedly admitted her affair with Barry Mannakee, one of her bodyguards, to her former voice coach.
In the recorded video, the late Princess of Wales said that she believed Mannakee, who was killed in a motorcycle accident eight months after he was fired from duty, was actually murdered as revenge for the affair, despite Prince Charles' infidelities.
"I was only happy when he was around," Princess Diana said. "I should never have played with fire and I got burnt."
