The Metropolitan Police has barred five officers from the Royalty and Specialist Protection unit from working at royal palaces following an internal investigation into misogynistic behavior.
The disciplinary action stemmed from a complaint filed in October 2024 by a female staff member at Kensington Palace, according to The Sun.
>>> Pacific Volcanic Eruption Reveals New Methane Destruction Mechanism
The complaint detailed inappropriate comments made between August 2023 and September 2024.
The Metropolitan Police stated that the officers' behavior did not meet the official threshold for misconduct, allowing them to return to regular duties.
However, senior Royal Household staff imposed further restrictions by permanently revoking the security access passes of the involved officers.
Details of the Investigation
One officer allegedly described Kensington Palace as being "full of little Hitlers" when asked to move his belongings.
Another officer inappropriately attempted to friend a female employee on Facebook.
A source told The Sun that the comments were perceived as misogynistic but remained tame and non-sexual in nature.
The broader Royalty and Specialist Protection unit faces separate scrutiny, with 23 staff members receiving misconduct notices.
Twenty-one officers are on restricted duties, and two have been removed from palace deployments after reports of officers sleeping while on duty at Windsor Castle.
"The reported behaviour falls below the high standards expected of officers, particularly those in frontline protective roles," said an unnamed Met spokesperson.
The police department noted that the internal probe resulted in corrective measures for the personnel involved, who are now assigned to alternative armed duties.
"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," the spokesperson added.
The department emphasized its commitment to maintaining behavioral standards across all protection operations.
>>> UK Appoints Former M&S CEO Marc Bolland to Tackle Youth Unemployment Crisis
"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," the spokesperson said.
Former Met royalty protection operational head Dai Davies expressed concern over the volume of personnel implicated in the complaints.
"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," Davies said.
Davies added that the sensitive nature of royal protection requires all deployed officers to maintain decorum and remain entirely above reproach.
Former detective chief inspector Mick Neville noted that shifting workplace standards have altered how inappropriate remarks are handled.
"A few years ago, banter and silly comments were acceptable in many work environments, including the police," Neville said.
Neville noted that contemporary workers are far more likely to take offense to off-color remarks, making it wiser for officers to limit such comments to private circles.
"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," he said.
He suggested that modern workplace complaints frequently involve individuals who feel offended on behalf of others rather than being direct targets.
"It doesn't even have to be the person at whom they directed – some individuals can get offended on their behalf," Neville said.
Neville concluded by questioning how past members of the royal family would have reacted to the current disciplinary dispute.
"I can't help wondering what Prince Philip would have made of it all?" he said.
>>> Longest-Serving Flight Attendant Joan Prince Crandall Retires After 66 Years
Prince William and Kate Middleton had no direct involvement in the decision to ban the officers from the property.
