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Oh Bea! Unlocked BMW stolen after keys are left in ignition
Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter08.01.09
SHE may officially be the cleverest member of the royal family but Princess Beatrice's BMW has been stolen after she left the keys in the unlocked car's ignition while out shopping.
When the princess returned she discovered her BMW - given to her as a 17th birthday present by her father Prince Andrew - had vanished.
Her police protection officer had accompanied her to the shop in Kensington, leaving the car unattended. Passers-by looked on as the BMW 1 Series with personalised number plates was driven off by a thief at high speed in daylight. It was reported today that Beatrice is upset and "extremely embarrassed" by the theft of a car she cherished and preferred to drive herself.
The 20-year-old stopped in Devonshire Place in Kensington to nip into a shop on her way to visit a friend.
The £15,000 black car is said to have contained a number of personal items although sources at Buckingham Palace have suggested none was of a sensitive nature.
Beatrice is currently on holiday from Goldsmiths, part of the University of London, where she is in the first year of a three-year history degree. In 2007, she achieved an A and two Bs at A-level, beating the previous record held by a royal - Prince William's A, B and C.
After the car was stolen yesterday, her protection officer radioed for back-up. A marked patrol car arrived and was followed, it is understood, by another car bringing Beatrice's sister Eugenie, 18. The two princesses then went into a nearby pub.
Pub manager Fei Hameed said today: "They looked very cool and it didn't seem anything was wrong."
A source close to Beatrice told the Sun today: "She is naturally very shocked and upset. It is particularly embarrassing given that she is always accompanied by a police bodyguard." The presence of a protection officer is part of the princess's round-the-clock security provided at an annual cost estimated at £250,000. Her sister gets the same treatment prompting concerns taxpayers' money is wasted on the Queen's granddaughters, both of whom are considered a low-security risk.
In contrast, Beatrice's cousin Zara Phillips, who as a top equestrian sportswoman has a far higher profile, has no police bodyguard. Nor has her brother Peter.
It has been reported Prince Andrew blocked attempts to have the 24-hour protection removed. Security sources have suggested it is not easy looking after the princesses because of their enjoyment of travel and late nights out.
Reader views (11)
How easy it is for the Royals to make fools of themselves. They must know the media are always on their tails.
Prince andrew should have bought a Ford or Holden for his daughter. They have a reputation for reliability.
As for her taking the bus.........are you mad!!
- Don, whangarei, new zealand
That's alright, the taxpayers will pick up the bill for a new one and some more protection too, after all, you are such exceptional VIP's.
- Bob, Cheam
Perhaps she will try the BUS first time in her life.
- Jen Garcia, london Uk
Perfect job opportunity for someone; hire another protection officer to mind the car.
- Patricia, LONDON
Ah,...bless...she probably thought that leaving your car unlocked and the keys in the ignition is what everybody else does...welcome to modern Britain Bea!...Try living in it properly as opposed to thinking we all spend our evenings getting sloshed at Boujis or Mahiki...
- Ali Sichilongo, London
Why is the British taxpayer funding these minor royal jollies? I accept the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William, but I think everyone else has to be cut off from the public purse and get a job! They serve no purpose for the UK.
- Dave, London
I'm sure she did look cool and like nothing was wrong immediately after the theft - too spoiled to care as she'll no doubt be given another one pronto.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
I would have thought that the whole Royal family was high
risk.
If the car is not found,that will be £15,000.00 that the insurance will not pay out,what an expensive day.
- David Nigel Braham, Milan Italy
What an incompetent protection officer! He/she should have reminded her to take the keys out and lock the car. If he/she doesn't even know the basics of security, not sure if he/she is fit to protect a national figure.
- Ad, London
what a complete thicko. she will no doubt be bought a new one by daddy anyway, as the insurance will not pay out if she left the keys in the ignition.
- Ag, The Village of London
Doh! What a right Princess.
I do not like the Royals, but I have a lot of respect for Zara Phillips.
- Frank, Home Counties, England
