Prince William and Princess Kate’s Beloved Royal Home Hit by Security Scandal as 5 Officers Suspended
Kensington Palace is back in headlines after reports claimed five royal protection officers were banned over alleged misconduct.
Prince William and Princess Kate’s former royal home, Kensington Palace, is back in the news for an unexpected security scandal. Five protection officers have reportedly been removed from their duties at the royal residence following allegations of misogynistic behavior. The initial report came from The Sun on May 30 that the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into the accused officers attached to its Royalty and Specialist Protection team.
The probe centered on alleged remarks said to have been made between August 2023 and September 2024, with one officer reportedly describing Kensington Palace as “full of little Hitlers.” A source revealed to the publication, “Comments from the officers were perceived as misogynistic, though the allegations were tame and none were sexual in nature.”
Additionally, reports indicate that another officer attempted to contact a female palace employee on Facebook. The staff member reportedly lodged her first formal complaint regarding the behavior back in October 2024.
“The reported behavior 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,” a representative of the Met Police said in a statement. They added that the Met remains focused on making sure officers and staff uphold high professional standards, and maintaining public trust and confidence continues to be a key priority.
Although William and Kate have no direct involvement in the decision to ban the officers, they were kept informed, according to The Sun. The couple moved their main family home from Kensington Palace to Windsor along with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, in 2022, when they moved into Adelaide Cottage, before making a more permanent move to the Forest Lodge in October of 2025. However, even if they do not live in London anymore, it is still one of their residences.
In another incident involving royal protection officers, the BBC reported that 21 police officers were placed on restricted duties following claims that some officers guarding Windsor Castle fell asleep and left their posts unattended. The Met Police said 23 officers were served misconduct notices as part of an "urgent investigation."
The Independent Office for Police Conduct, the police watchdog that oversees complaints involving police forces, was notified about the incident. They ultimately decided the matter would be dealt with locally by the Metropolitan Police. Windsor Castle is one of King Charles III’s official residences and is regularly used by senior members of the Royal Family for both private stays and official events.
