YOU’RE BANNED 

Five armed cops barred from royal residences after complaint over inappropriate comments including ‘Little Hitlers’ slur

FIVE armed cops have been banned from royal residences following a complaint from a female member of staff at Kensington Palace.

A Met Police investigation was launched into allegations of misogynistic behaviour by its Royalty and Specialist Protection officers.

A complaint from a member of staff at Kensington Palace has led to a Met Police investigationCredit: Getty
 

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Five armed cops have been banned from all royal residents after allegations of ‘inappropriate’ commentsCredit: Alamy
Aides banned them from royal residences after a female staff member at Kensington Palace complained of a string of “inappropriate” comments.

One was said to have moaned that the West London palace — where the Prince and Princess of Wales have a residence and office — was “full of little Hitlers”.

Following a Met probe, the officers in the Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) unit were ordered to learn from their actions after their conduct was deemed not to reach the misconduct threshold.

Recently senior Royal Household staff took the decision to stop them from working at any palaces in the future by removing their passes.

Wills and Kate are said to have had no direct involvement in banning them but were informed.

Last night, former royal protection officers expressed surprise at the number of cops involved, sparking concerns of a “culture of misogyny”.

The latest revelation follows allegations of officers in the RaSP unit being caught sleeping on duty at Windsor Castle.

Some 23 have been served misconduct notices, with 21 placed on restricted duties and two removed from palace deployments.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have a residence and office at Kensington PalaceCredit: PA
 

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Royalty and Specialist Protection officers were also alleged to have been caught sleeping on duty at Windsor CastleCredit: Alamy
The Kensington Palace female royal household staff worker first complained about the officers’ conduct in October 2024.

She alleged they made “inappropriate” comments between August 2023 and September 2024. It is understood that one of the cops complained about Kensington Palace being “full of little Hitlers” when he was asked to move his kit.

Another is said to have tried to befriend the female employee on Facebook, which she deemed inappropriate.

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.”

The officers were placed on restricted duties during the internal investigation by the Met’s professional standards unit.

The case was never treated as criminal and fell below the threshold for misconduct.

Following its conclusion, the cops were cleared to return to full duties.

A Met spokesman said: “The reported behaviour falls below the high standards expected of officers, particularly those in frontline protective roles.

“As a result of our internal investigation into this matter, 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, so we can continue to build trust and confidence with those we serve.”

However the Royal Household took further action.

A source said: “A decision was taken that the officers were not wanted back again.”

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Kensington Palace has been Kate and William’s official HQ and home since 2013Credit: Getty
 

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The accused cops are static security officers and not the royal couple’s close protection teamCredit: Splash
The cops are now believed to be working on other armed duties within the force.

Former Met royalty protection operational head Dai Davies said last night: “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.

“It doesn’t even have to be the person at whom they directed – some individuals can get offended on their behalf.”

But he added: “I can’t help wondering what Prince Philip would have made of it all?”

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William and Kate spend most of their time with their three children in Windsor and NorfolkCredit: Getty
 

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Kensington Palace was previously the royal residence of Princess MargaretCredit: Getty – Contributor
Kensington Palace has been Kate and William’s official HQ and home since 2013.

The accused cops are static security officers and not the royal couple’s close protection team.

The Waleses retain a residence and offices at the four-floor 20-room Apartment 1A, formerly the home of Princess Margaret.

But they spend most of their time with their three children, George, 12, Charlotte, 11, and eight-year-old Louis, in Windsor and Norfolk.

Kensington Palace has around 550 rooms and is set in around 100 hectares on the western end of Hyde Park, welcoming up to half a million tourists every year.

It is guarded around the clock by armed cops as it is home to up to 50 staff and members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who have lived at Apartment 10 for 40 years.

Princess Eugenie and hubby Jack Brooksbank and their two sons use Ivy Cottage in the palace as their base when they are in London.

Princess Diana also called it home after marrying Prince Charles in 1981 — and stayed in Apartments 8 and 9 even after their divorce.

Two weeks ago we revealed that an urgent police standards probe had been launched into claims that RaSP officers were sleeping on the job at Windsor Castle.

Checks were being carried out to see if similarly slapdash practices were happening at Buckingham Palace and other royal residences.

CRE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/royals/39263751/cops-barred-royal-residences-little-hitlers-slur/