Five armed police officers have been permanently banned from royal residences following a complaint from a female staff member at Kensington Palace. The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into allegations of misogynistic behaviour by its Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) unit after the woman reported a series of inappropriate comments made between August 2023 and September 2024.
According to The Sun, one officer reportedly complained that Kensington Palace—the official London residence and office of the Prince and Princess of Wales—was "full of little Hitlers" when asked to move his equipment. Another officer allegedly attempted to befriend the female employee on Facebook, which she considered inappropriate. The officers were placed on restricted duties during the internal probe by the Met's professional standards unit.
The case was not treated as criminal and fell below the threshold for misconduct, but senior Royal Household staff decided to revoke the officers' passes, preventing them from working at any royal palaces in the future. Prince William and Princess Catherine were informed of the decision but had no direct involvement in the ban.
Investigation and Consequences
Following the Met's investigation, the officers were cleared to return to full duties but were ordered to undergo reflective practice to consider their actions. A Met spokesman stated: "The reported behaviour falls below the high standards expected of officers, particularly those in frontline protective roles. As a result of our internal investigation, the officers received reflective practice to consider their actions and identify learning for the future. It remains a priority for the Met to ensure all officers and staff uphold the highest standards of professionalism."
Despite the Met's conclusion, the Royal Household took further action. A source said: "A decision was taken that the officers were not wanted back again." The cops are now believed to be working on other armed duties within the force.
Concerns Over Culture
Former royal protection officers expressed surprise at the number of officers involved, raising concerns about a potential "culture of misogyny" within the RaSP unit. Former Met royalty protection head Dai Davies commented: "I'm surprised there are so many of them who received complaints, and it raises the question of whether there is a culture of misogyny. Given the sensitivity of the job, the officers must be above reproach and behave with decorum at all times."
Former detective chief inspector Mick Neville added: "A few years ago, banter and silly comments were acceptable in many work environments, including the police. But I am not surprised to find that royalty protection officers at Kensington Palace found themselves in hot water for remarks which offended one of the staff. In this day and age, it is wise to keep off-colour comments to close family and friends—you just never know who will take offence."
Background and Context
This latest revelation follows earlier allegations that RaSP officers were caught sleeping on duty at Windsor Castle. Twenty-three officers have been served misconduct notices, with 21 placed on restricted duties and two removed from palace deployments. The female staff member first complained in October 2024 about the officers' conduct. A source told The Sun on Sunday: "Comments from the officers were perceived as misogynistic, though the allegations were tame and none were sexual in nature."
Kensington Palace, which has around 550 rooms and is set in about 100 hectares on the western edge of Hyde Park, has been the official headquarters and home of the Prince and Princess of Wales since 2013. It is guarded around the clock by armed police and houses up to 50 staff and members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who have lived there for 40 years. Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank also use Ivy Cottage in the palace grounds as their London base.
The accused officers are static security officers, not part of the royal couple's close protection team. The Waleses spend most of their time with their three children—George, 12, Charlotte, 11, and Louis, 8—in Windsor and Norfolk, though they retain a residence and offices at Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace, formerly the home of Princess Margaret.
