How much is Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s wedding going to cost and who is paying for it?
PRINCESS Eugenie is tying the knot with long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel, Windsor on Friday, October 12.
The cost of security for the ninth in line to the throne’s big day has almost doubled amid terror fears – but just who will be footing the extra-large security bill and how much is it going to cost?
When is Princess Eugenie getting married?
The 28-year-old daughter of the Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson is marrying her long-term beau, tequila brand ambassador Jack Brooksbank, on October 12 at St George’s Chapel.
It is the same location where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in May.
The guestlist for the nuptials is expected to include many A-list celebrities and socialites – with speculation there will be more big names in attendance than there were at the Duke of Sussex’s wedding.
How much is the wedding costing and who is footing the bill?
Princess Eugenie’s wedding was initially costing around £750,000 and was set to be paid for by the couple’s parents.
However, amid increased fears of a terror attack in the UK, this has now more than doubled to almost £2million – with the extra funding coming from the taxpayers.
That’s because the princess will require extra firearms officers in attendance on the day to provide tighter security.
The extra money will draft in officers on overtime rates, with some cancelling their holidays to be on guard.
Dozens of officers will also be required to search the open-top carriage procession route in advance and there will be a blanket ban on drones flying over the event too.
While royal fans are excited to catch a glimpse of Eugenie and Jack, more than 25,000 citizens have signed a petition demanding that no public funds should be spent on the nuptials.
Anti-monarchy group Republic , arguing that “this royal wedding is a private, personal event” which is being “dressed up as a national occasion.”
As Eugenie “carries out no royal duties”, the organisers of the petition claim “there is little public interest in another royal wedding”.
They’re calling upon the government to “publish a report of all costs to taxpayers”.
However, a petition on the UK government website needs a minimum of 100,000 signatures before it is debated by MPs in parliament.
Who is expected to feature on the guest list?
The guest list for the second Royal Wedding of the year is currently a secret.
However, it has been speculated that a number of A-listers and socialites will be in attendance.
These include Hollywood film star George Clooney and his wife Amal, model Cara Delevingne, actress Suki Waterhouse and supermodels Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford.
It is also rumoured that the Beckhams, Cressida Bonas and Ellie Goulding will be attending.
The Queen is expected to be at her granddaughter’s wedding along with other senior members of the royal household.
Pop star Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field are almost certain to attend as their daughter Theodora Rose is a flower girl.
Princess Beatrice is maid of honour and Prince William’s children Prince George, five, and Princess Charlotte, three, are page boy and flower girl.