Duty calls for Beatrice, the freeloading Princess

In these tough times, the Royals have to give us value for money.

With unfortunate timing, Princess Beatrice has given up her job and appears to be lurching from treat to treat with three dream holidays in the space of a month.

The timing is bad because the spotlight is still firmly on her father, Prince Andrew, who is at the centre of sordid accusations. He certainly doesn’t need any more negative headlines or publicity right now.

It all means Beatrice stands accused of being little more than a freeloader, following in the footsteps of her father and mother, Sarah.

While that might be a bit harsh, I think she has scored a spectacular own goal by leaving her job and going on a skiing holiday and then taking two vacations in the Caribbean. Yes, three “holidays of a lifetime” in the five weeks since Christmas.

Unless Beatrice has something else lined up, there will be questions asked about whether the public should be putting any cash at all towards her lifestyle and protection.

Until recently, Beatrice was working as an “intermediate co-ordinating producer” with Sony pictures. Like you, I have absolutely no idea of what that job title means or entails, but she took home around £20,000 a year.

Of course, unlike most 26-year -olds, Beatrice has no money worries. She has a roof over her head and enjoys all the trappings of being sixth in line to the throne.

She has a flat in St James’ Palace in London where the rent is basically subsidised and which was refurbished for a quarter of a million pounds when she was a student with you, the tax payer, picking up the tab.

It’s time she decided to be part of the Royal Family and take on some duties and worthwhile charity work, or opts out and finds her own way in the world. There’s no room for hangers-on and, in these tough times, the Royals have to give us value for money.

The Queen sets the bar high along with no-nonsense Princess Anne who carries out the most royal engagements of them all. William, Kate and baby George have rejuvenated “the brand”, and Harry has grown up since his days of being a party Prince. They have carved out proper roles for themselves as members of the Royal family and now Beatrice has to do the same.

Otherwise she will just ricochet around the world on permanent holiday, reigniting the whole debate about whether we actually really need a royal family in the first place.