Former Royal Protection Officer Claims Met Police Told Him to 'Keep Quiet' About Prince Andrew's Palace Visitors
A former royal protection officer who served Prince Andrew has revealed that the Metropolitan Police sent him a formal warning letter, urging him to maintain confidentiality regarding his claims about the Duke of York's activities at Buckingham Palace. Paul Page, who worked as a protection officer between 1998 and 2004, alleges that Prince Andrew regularly smuggled unidentified women into his private apartment at the palace, with visits occurring multiple times each week.
Police Warning Letter and Ongoing Investigations
Mr Page received the warning letter in December last year from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell, who leads the Met's security and protection command. The correspondence, headed with the counterterrorism policing logo, reminded Page of his obligations regarding confidentiality and respect for privacy. Speaking to The Times, Page interpreted the letter as essentially saying, 'can you shut up?' in polite terms. He expressed confusion about the timing, noting he has been making similar public statements for years without previous intervention.
The Metropolitan Police has recently urged former close protection officers who worked with Andrew to carefully consider whether any information they possess might be relevant to their ongoing review of Jeffrey Epstein-related files. While the force stated it has not currently identified any wrongdoing, it emphasized that any new allegations would be assessed through standard procedures. Scotland Yard confirmed it is collaborating with United States counterparts to investigate whether London airports were used to facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Detailed Allegations About Palace Security Breaches
Paul Page first made allegations about Prince Andrew in 2008 when he faced charges related to a £3 million investment scam operated from a Buckingham Palace locker room. He claimed the royal protection squad during his tenure was plagued by a culture of gambling, moonlighting, and excessive drinking. More significantly, Page asserted there were numerous security breaches at the palace between 1997 and 2003 specifically related to Andrew privately entertaining women.
According to Page's account:
- Protection officers were instructed not to question the arrival of female visitors
- They were deliberately kept unaware of the women's identities
- Visits typically occurred after palace closing hours
- Women would approach the front gate and be escorted by footmen to Andrew's quarters
Page told The Sun last week: 'We were just told a female will be coming at whatever time. It's always after closing, and a female will be approaching the front gate. We were told to call footmen and then either the female would walk through unescorted, or the footman would come down to collect her and walk her to Andrew.' He described an ongoing joke among staff that Andrew should have a revolving door installed in his bedroom due to the constant stream of female visitors.
Broader Context and Recent Developments
These revelations emerge amid significant developments in investigations connected to Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew appears frequently in recently released Epstein files, including images allegedly showing him with an unidentified woman at Epstein's New York mansion. The former Duke of York has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his association with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Thames Valley Police arrested Andrew yesterday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, though he has been released from custody. Searches continue at his former residence, Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, while police presence remains at the Sandringham Estate despite concluding searches of his Norfolk home. Ten UK police forces are currently assessing information related to the Epstein files, examining claims encompassing human trafficking, sexual assault, and leaks of confidential information.
The Metropolitan Police has historically declined to fully investigate Page's claims, citing his fraud conviction as undermining his reliability. However, Page maintains the truth of his allegations and has recently been in contact with Thames Valley Police, offering assistance with their investigation. He specifically referenced allegations that one woman was flown into the UK on Epstein's 'Lolita Express' aircraft and brought to Prince Andrew under the codename 'Mrs Windsor.'
