Playing it safe

ON the eve of the visits to Ireland of Britain’s Queen II and the US’s President Barack Obama, security is on red alert.

The expectation is SAS snipers or M15-style men in black suits, shades and earpieces, but heads of state are as likely to be guarded by a young, blonde mum or middle-aged housewife mingling with the masses.

Unobtrusive but just as effective, female bodyguards are in demand — The Duchess of Cambridge (Emma Probert was in front passenger seat of the wedding Rolls), Prince William, David Cameron, Katie Price, Nicole Kidman and Justin Bieber have all ‘put their lives’ in the hands of a woman.