'Of course he should pay it himself': King Charles' controversial security decision for Andrew and Harry

King Charles' will pay for Prince Andrew's private security in place of taxpayer-funded security, according to reports.

This follows the disgraced royal being forced to stand down from official duties in 2020 after being accused of sexual assault by then-17-year-old Virginia Giuffre. Andrew, 62, has since settled legal action brought against him by Giuffre. The prince has repeatedly denied wrongdoing

According to The Telegraph in the UK, Prince Andrew's private security costs approximately £3 million (AUD $5.47 million) a year and King Charles is likely to pay for them, after refusing to do the same for Harry.

This decision could further anger Prince Harry who spoke of his alarm when he was told his taxpayer-funder security would end following he and Meghan Markle's resignation as senior working royals.

READ MORE: Jacinda Ardern distances herself from Harry and Meghan documentary: 'No communications'

Harry spoke of having to fund private security for his family in the Netflix series Harry & Meghan.

Norman Baker, former Home Office minister and Privy Council member, told The Sun the decision to end taxpayer-funded security for Prince Andrew and Prince Harry was the right one.

READ MORE: Charles and Camilla invite surprise guests to join them for Christmas at Sandringham

"Armed protection has always been a status symbol for the likes of Prince Andrew," Baker explained. "Of course he should pay it himself and not burden the taxpayer because he is a private individual and carries out no public duties.

He added: "We shouldn't pay for Andrew's or Harry's security or any member of the Royal Family that carries out no public duties."

The Duke of Sussex has filed two lawsuits over the decision not to allow him to pay for police protection when he is in the UK, issuing a legal challenge against the Home Office in February when his taxpayer-funded security ended.

He said it was unsafe for him to visit the UK without police protection. The royal explained that private security won't have access to official intelligence and resources that police do.

Prince Harry won the first stage of this legal battle meaning he can take the case for judicial review, with a decision being made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures called Ravec.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spoken of their disappointment at their treatment by the royal family following their decision to move to California in the US where they currently reside with their children Archie, three, and Lilibet, one.

In their six-part Netflix series, the pair went into detail about their final days in the UK.

The couple privately fund their security in the US.