No Leads in Robbery Involving UK Princess: Police

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
05 May 2009

Phnom Penh police say they have no information on the reported robbery of the friend of a British royal in the capital two weeks ago.

British media have reported in recent days the robbery of a friend of Princess Eugenie, the 19-year-old granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, around two weeks ago.

The princess, who is sixth in line to the throne, was walking in Phnom Penh at night with a friend who had her purse snatched by a small “gang,” the Times of London reported Tuesday.

Bodyguards of the princess grappled with at least one mugger before they were pelted with rocks by an accomplice and were forced to release the suspect to concentrate on the safety of the princess, the Times reported.

“We made a serious investigation of the robbery case of the British princess in Phnom Penh, but up to now we have not had any results,” Phnom Penh Deputy Police Chief He Pru told VOA Khmer, following day of inquiry.

Pol Vithey, who is also a deputy police chief for the municipality, said the princess likely had not reported the incident, leaving police with little information. “If we had met the victim, we would know the information to investigate.”

A British Embassy official declined to comment on the reported robbery.

The Ministry of Interior claims the number of confirmed crimes in Cambodia has fallen in recent years.

Muggers Target Princess And Pals In Cambodia

Monday May 04, 2009
Sky News

Princess Eugenie and her friends were targeted by muggers in Cambodia, it has been reported.

A bandit grabbed a purse belonging to a friend of the younger daughter of the Duke of York during a night out in Phnom Penh, The Sun said.

Royal protection officers tackled the robber, only to be pelted with rocks by another bandit, the paper added.

Eugenie, 19, and her friends were then whisked away to safety by the police.

A Buckingham Palace source told the paper: "(Police) feared the incident was escalating out of control and took the decision to focus on the safety of their principal."

It is the first time in a decade that SO14 Special Branch officers have stopped a direct threat to a royal.

The princess - who is sixth in line to the throne - is on a gap-year trip which has already included visits to Thailand and South Africa.

There has been criticism of the cost of police protection for Eugenie during the trip, said to be in the region of £100,000.

Princess Eugenie rescued after attack in Cambodia

Princess Eugenie is on a gap-year trip

Monday, May 04, 2009

LONDON (AFP) — Thieves tried to rob Queen Elizabeth II's 19-year-old granddaughter, Princess Eugenie, and her friends while they were travelling in Cambodia, the Sun newspaper has reported.

Royal protection officers had to intervene to protect the princess, the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, when a thief tried to steal her friend's purse as they walked through Phnom Penh one night, the Sun said.

The two officers tackled the thief but were pelted with stones by another man, forcing them to let him go and focus on getting the princess to safety. They also managed to retrieve the purse.

The Sun said it was the first time in ten years that protection officers have stopped a direct threat to a member of the royal family.