A Day In The Life Of A Royal Security

1. It's a life risking job

Image source/ CBS newsThe most important thing to consider when understanding the life of a royal security officer is that it is a life risking job. Not only is the life of the person you are protecting essentially your responsibility, but you are putting your life on the line in order to protect them. It is inevitably a sacrificial job.

2. They are armed

Image source/ CBS newsOf course, the people protecting the royals are armed. Scotland Yard Royalty Protection Group officers are all discreetly armed with a 9mm Glock 17 pistol in case of any extreme situation. Along with this they also of course are always equipped with a first aid kit.

3. They have to ALWAYS be prepared

Image source/DailyMailThis is not the kind of job where you can turn up running five minutes late. Or, where you can take an extra ten with your lunch break or start daydreaming. Royal security has to ALWAYS be on it, every minute that they are on duty, just in case. Otherwise, it puts people's lives at risk.

4. Plan, plan and more planning

Image source/ entertainment.ieOne of the biggest parts of the job and the everyday life of Royal security is planning. Every single eventuality has to be planned out, as well as a number of ways that they could deal with these possible things that could happen in case there is a threat to life - they have to immediately know what to do which takes rigorous planning.

5. ..Even for the most minor things

Image source/The TelegraphYes of course huge royal events take a LOT of planning. But so do even the most minor things. For example, even for a short car ride royal security reveal they have to factor in whether there could possibly be roadworks/ traffic/ fans of the royals as well as people with bad intentions.

6. The pressure of big events

Image source/ Daily MailBig events happen all the time in the life of a royal, as they do for the royal security. The big events cause a lot of pressure for the royal security because big events attract huge numbers of people which maximise the risks for the royal member and so also themselves.

7. Regular checks during events

Image source/bbcDuring events there are a lot of royal security on hand and on duty. Some royal security members have revealed that they are constantly looking out for what they expect to see and what they don't expect to see. There are numerous and constant checks happening all the time that we would never realise.

8. The intense focus small detail

Image source/ dailymailIn the life of a royal security officer, we do not realise just how detailed and precise they have to be. The attention to detail has to be amazing so that they can spot anything that is not right. For example, right down to the facial expressions of people they watch to see if anybody is acting suspicious.

9. Walkabouts are the worst

Image source/ PinterestDuring big events one of the biggest headaches for a royal security officer is when their client (the member of royalty they protect) goes walkabouts, starts going off track or mixing with people and therefore opening themselves up to risks and making the job of the officer way more difficult.

10. You have to be highly experienced

Image source/ PinterestYou cannot just apply to be a royal officer. To be the protection officer of a royal you must already be a serving member of the Met. And, you must have at least 10-15 years of experience. Only then can you think about joining this highly specialised field.

11. And it takes a lot of specific training

Image source/DilytelegraphTo be a royal security member it takes a lot of training...consistently. This is because you do not just need to train and pass the job test. You always have to be trained and retrained because different threats arise and change in royal life meaning training has to constantly be updated.

12. Some of the perks

Image source/MirrorOf course, what we see in films shows protection officers living the glamorous lifestyle along with their intended member of royalty. And yes, they do get to eat in some of the world's best restaurants and stay at the most luxurious hotels but what they urge us to remember is that this is not their lifestyle they are working and have to constantly be on guard.

13. Staying true to the job

Image source/ E onlineSome royal protection officers have stated how important it is to not pay too much attention to the perks. Because if you get too dazzled by what some from the outside see as the high life or advantages, you become vulnerable in a way you are more open to financial or emotional blackmail.

14. Meeting inspiring people

Image source/ CBS newsNow one ex-royal security member did state that one of the real best advantages of the job was being able to meet such inspiring people. For example, Olympians. Or people who have been through extreme situations and come out of the other side.

15. The huge variation of the job

Image source/ zimbioThe job is so massively varied. For example, one day you may be at home with your royal family member while they go about their daily life. Another day you may be on duty during a royal procession or ceremony. There is massive variation which characterises the life of royal security.

16. ...And you never know what to expect

Image source/ PeopleRoyal security has to expect the unexpected because in their day-to-day life, anything can happen. For example, one former protection officer served during the years surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's royal wedding in 2011. He even revealed that he became a sort of wedding planner as part of his job.

17. You never leave them alone

Image source/ etonlineAnother main aspect of the life of royal security is that they never leave the person they are protecting alone...literally. They are with them 24 hours, even when they are at home. Only apart from their days off when another security member takes over.

18. There is no downtime

Image source/ blogspotThe thing about being a part of the royal security is that although it sounds cool (and don't get us wrong it certainly is) but it is a LOT. There is no time in the day where they can relax. If they do, they are jeopardising safety because things can happen when they least expect it - which they have.

19. There is no real routine

Image source/ CBS newsThere is no routine when you are royal security. You do not have a consistent schedule you can stick to. One morning you may be in England, but he afternoon you may be in Scotland. Then, the next day is totally different, and you may be at an event.

20. You have to be reactive

 Image source/ BBCIn the life of royal security, you have to be reactive. If you do not react fast to situations, then not only are you putting yourself at risk but also the royal member you are there to protect. Things can happen in a split second, so you have to be ready to react, always.

21. It's not like the movies

Image source/ PinterestIt's not what people think, being a royal security officer. There are so many movies and TV programmes where we see glamourised security jobs, such as the Bodyguard. Or films where they walk around in cool black glasses and take part in car chases. This is far from the reality.

22. There are many female bodyguards

Image source/ dailynewsThere is a huge stereotype when it comes to bodyguards. Do you ever see female bodyguards in movies or on TV? Rarely. But it is common to have female bodyguards. They actually use the fact that people don't expect them to be security to their advantage. It allows them to blend in more easily during events so that they can act more covert and assess the situation better

23. Accidents do happen

Image source/ DailyMailAccidents do happen because security officers are human and cannot be everywhere at once, they are not machines with built in shields or alert systems. Once an intruder managed to get in the palace and have a chat with the late Queen Elizabeth as she lay in bed at 2am.

24. Threats are common

Image source/ MetroThreats to life are a common occurrence in this line of duty, dealing with royalty. For example, Charles has had a couple of assassination attempts where bullets have very nearly hit him. Dealing the danger is a lot more common than people assume in the life of royal security.

25. Security don't always like their client

Image source/ E newsConsidering riyal security spend SO much time with their clients, you may assume that they would be close. However, the security person does not necessarily like their intended person, yet it would not matter to them they would still risk their life.

26. They aren't always treated well

Image source/MetroYou'd think you'd want to treat the person risking their life for yours well. But Prince Andrew used to order his royal protection officers to fetch his golf balls and use them as golf caddies and for jobs he didn't want to do. So, it is definitely not always the case

27. It is very exhausting

Image source/ newmyroyalsNow let's not forget...the life of a royal security officer is undeniably exhausting. Because it follows the routine of a royal family member the schedule is hectic. But mainly because they constantly have to be vigilant and ready at every moment it is very draining.

28. It takes a mental toll

Image source/ PopnewsThe job definitely takes a mental toll too. Being constantly hyper aware can lead to them seeing potential risks everywhere they look and go, as it is hard to mentally switch between off time and on time. So, a mental break sometimes is definitely needed in this field.

29. They work strange hours

Image source/ BBCThis is no 9-5 job. As royal security there aren't exactly hours, sometimes you'll be needed for hours on end or days on end. So, the hours very much depend on what is going on in the life of the royals at the time, because that is what will be happening in the life of royal security too.

30. Their lives outside of security are normal

Image source/ TelegraphMany royal security highlight that what they do as a job and the way they live, for example spending time in the palace or a royal jet does not mean their personal life is like this. They have ordinary routines and lives that are very far removed from the royal world.

31. It's More About Status Than Security

Image Source / Showbiz Cheat SheetIn the now famous interview with Oprah that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did, they explained that their security detail had been taken away on short notice. The prince explained that the reason had been because of the 'change in status', despite the fact he was born into the royal family.

32. There Aren't Really Any Hard Rules About Who Gets Security

Image Source / The Royal FamilyIt isn't really a set rule that every single royal family member automatically gets security. It can depend on many things about who gets security, how much and when, and of course the rules can change all the time with change of circumstance - and new royals being born!

33. Royal Security Cost A LOT Of Money

Image Source / GlamourThe estimated cost of security for the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was alleged to be around a whopping £30 million. £30 million! And that's not even for the wedding itself, that's for security alone. Of course, this was a very public and high profile event needing more security, so the bill shouldn't always rack that high.

34. They Can Be Victims Of Media Scrutiny, Too

Image Source / LADbibleIf you're going to protect such high profile people, then you can expect to be in the media limelight, too - especially with modern day social media. Think about how many photos or videos you've seen of security officers or soldiers collapsing, doing something funny or - as is the trend these days - being hot.

35. Royal Family Members Can Actually Fund Their Own Security Themselves

Image Source / Harper's BazaarPrince Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have been paying the cost of their own security since around 2011. Before this time, they had paid-for protection that amounted to around £500,000 a year, apparently (not half as much as Royal Wedding security, but still enough to make your eyes water!).

36. Although This May Not Actually Be Through Choice...

Image Source / Liverpool EchoConsidering that the two Princesses aren't the most influential royals - compared to, ya know, the King himself - it makes sense that maybe state funding wouldn't be able to cover everybody and that those royals left with minimal security might need to foot the bill themselves or go without.

37. There Is A Police Task Force Specifically In Charge Of Round-The-Clock Protection

Image Source / Vanity FairThere is a very specific police task force called the Royal and VIP Executive Committee - or RAVEC - that takes care of round the clock protection. As well as the royal family, they deal with the protection of other public figures, too. This particular force is paid for by the state.

38. There Was A LOT Of Drama With Archie's Security (Harry And Meghan's Son)

Image Source / ElleAs mentioned about Prince Harry's own security, it's the title and status that matters whether you get it rather than actually being born as a royal. And with Harry's son, Archie, he was apparently told Archie wouldn't be a prince and therefore wouldn't get royal security.

39. Royal Protection Officers Have Years Of Training

Image Source / ITV HubIt might go without saying, but these guys know what they're doing and train hard for their job. They have around 10-15 experience as senior police officers, and their training includes essentials like first aid, unarmed combat, advanced driving and - of course - firearms.

40. The Exact Number Of How Many Security Officers There Are Can't Be Revealed

Image Source / Elite UK ForcesAnd that's because it's for - drum roll - security purposes! It's estimated that there are around 185 SAS-trained security officers (that we know of) but of course the number could be a lot more than that. Many security officers have to fly under the radar, so it makes sense why the exact number wouldn't ever be known.

41. Not Every Single Royal Gets Round-The-Clock Protection

Image Source / Daily MailThe most high profile royals, of course, are the ones who get 24/7 security. We're talking King Charles (and previously Queen Elizabeth, of course) along with Prince William and his family. The rest of the royals - consider 'lower-ranking' - will only get security at public events, for example.

42. Security Officers Feel A Wave Of Relief When They Get Back Into The Car

Image Source / British GQAt high profile events with so many people around, and especially when protecting someone like the reigning monarch, security officers can't help but feel that crash of relief when they get back into the car when the day is over knowing that it was a success. They must be on edge every single moment until they can sit back and - maybe - relax in the car.

43. They're Assessing Everything - Even Facial Expressions

Image Source / Wikimedia CommonsDuring walkabouts, security officers obviously have to be on their absolute guard - and they're so thorough that they even need to pay attention to every single face, and the expression on that face. They need to assess why you might be smiling - or even if someone doesn't look too happy to see a royal walking about... i.e. potential threat?

44. One Of The Biggest Challenges Is The Planning

Image Source / VogueImagine trying to plan a full around-the-clock security plan for a royal, or to plan security for an extravagant royal event - it must be a little bit on the stressful side. And apparently this is one of the biggest challenges for royal security, on a day-to-day basis, too.

45. And They Definitely Don't Get Distracted By The Glam

Image Source / Town & Country MagazineYou might think the perks of the job make up for a lot of the challenges, like getting distracted by attended glitzy events with royals, or boarding their yachts or driving in their nice cars. But security officers must be focused at all times on the job at hand, and not let their guard down for one second to enjoy this lavish lifestyle.

46. And They Must Plan For The Worst, Too

Image Source / The TelegraphA royal security officer's day-to-day job doesn't just include the planning of how to keep a royal safe - it also includes the planning of every eventuality, including if something goes wrong. A security officer must know what to do in the worst situation, like knowing ahead of time where the nearest hospital is.

47. But The British Home Office Said Protection "Isn't For Sale"

Image Source / HICLThere doesn't seem to be a straight funding rule here for security protection, as it's either our hard-earned tax payer's money or some royals dipping into their own pocket to pay. However, the waters get muddied when Prince Harry was apparently refused protection in the UK by the British Home Office when they said police protection "isn't for sale".

48. Young And Rebellious Royals Pose A Particular Problem For Security Officers

Image Source/ Yahoo FinanceWhen you're young, royal or not, do you want to be followed around all the time by a security guy? Well, Prince Harry - already known for being quite the rebel in his youth - apparently tricked his former protection officer by telling him he was going out for military missions. The officer believed him and gave him a two-way radio, while the Prince escaped the palace without telling anybody before his security officer could run out and find him!

49. But The Security Officers Themselves Can Pose A Risk To The Royals

Image Source / InsiderSometimes even those charged with protecting you can become a threat - by accident, of course. During Queen Elizabeth's reign, there was a time when a protection officer accidentally set off his gun twice in the train the queen was travelling on. And not to mention the time a man actually managed to break into the queen's bedroom and have a chat with her before security even realised he was there.

50. There Are Code Words Used

Image Source / Vanity FairDuring the protection of the royal family, certain code words have been decided to better communicate during difficult circumstances for everyone involved. This can usually usually be a code word a royal family member can use to direct at their security personnel.