Royal Fallout: Five Cops Axed from Palace Duty After ‘Little Hitlers’ Slur

Five armed police officers have been removed from royal protection duties at Kensington Palace following a complaint of misogynistic behavior by a female staff member. The officers, part of the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) unit, allegedly made inappropriate comments, including one referring to the palace as being “full of little Hitlers.”

The incident, which sparked an internal investigation, has led to their permanent ban from all royal residences. This decision comes amidst broader scrutiny of the RaSP unit, which recently saw misconduct notices issued to 23 officers for sleeping on duty at Windsor Castle.

Key Event	Date/Period	Details
Alleged Inappropriate Comments	August 2023 – September 2024	Officers made comments perceived as misogynistic; one called KP “full of little Hitlers.”
Female Staff Complaint	October 2024	A Kensington Palace staff member formally complained about the officers’ conduct.
Met Police Investigation	Ongoing after October 2024	Internal probe by Met’s professional standards unit; officers placed on restricted duties.
Investigation Conclusion	Undisclosed	Behavior deemed not to meet misconduct threshold; officers cleared for full duties.
Royal Household Ban	Recent	Aides removed officers’ passes, banning them from all royal residences permanently.

The Allegations Unveiled

The controversy began when a female staff member at Kensington Palace reported a series of “inappropriate” comments made by RaSP officers between August 2023 and September 2024. One officer, reportedly asked to move his equipment, complained that the palace was “full of little Hitlers.”

Another officer attempted to befriend the employee on Facebook, which she found inappropriate. A source close to the investigation confirmed that the comments were perceived as misogynistic, though none were sexual in nature.

The Internal Investigation and Met’s Response

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the allegations, with the officers placed on restricted duties during the internal probe. The case was handled by the Met’s professional standards unit and was never treated as criminal.

Following its conclusion, the conduct was deemed not to reach the misconduct threshold, and the officers were cleared to return to full duties. A Met spokesman emphasized the high standards expected of officers, particularly those in protective roles.

“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,”

the spokesman stated.

Royal Household Takes Decisive Action

Despite the Met’s decision, the Royal Household took further, more stringent action. Senior royal staff decided to permanently bar the officers from working at any palaces.

This involved the removal of their passes, effectively ending their royal protection roles. A source indicated that Prince William and Kate were informed of the decision but had no direct involvement in the ban.

Broader Concerns within RaSP

This incident is not isolated. It follows recent allegations of RaSP officers being caught sleeping on duty at Windsor Castle. That separate investigation resulted in 23 officers being served misconduct notices, with 21 placed on restricted duties and two removed from palace deployments.

These repeated issues raise questions about the conduct and oversight within the elite royal protection unit. The incidents underscore a need for rigorous adherence to professional standards among those tasked with safeguarding the royal family.

What You Should Know

The removal of five armed police officers from royal protection duties at Kensington Palace highlights ongoing challenges within the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection unit. While the internal police investigation did not find grounds for formal misconduct, the Royal Household’s decision to ban these officers permanently signals a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behavior.

This development, coupled with previous incidents of officers sleeping on duty, underscores the critical importance of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and discipline within units responsible for guarding the monarchy. The actions taken reflect a commitment to ensuring the safety and respect of all individuals within royal residences, and the trust placed in those who protect them.