Royal Security at Epstein’s Mansion Was Overseen by King Charles’ Aide, New Email Suggests
Once reportedly described as the ‘favorite policeman’ of the late Queen Elizabeth, the aide now finds himself facing backlash.
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of sexual abuse that some readers may find distressing.
A high-ranking member of King Charles’s inner circle has been drawn into the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The newly released disclosures suggest that Peter Loughborough, the current Lord Steward of the monarch, oversaw the unit that allowed elite British protection officers to reside at the disgraced financier’s Manhattan townhouse. Also known as the 7th Earl of Rosslyn, he was the commander of Scotland Yard’s Royalty and Diplomatic Protection unit in 2010. But now, the latest batch of files has cast a dark shadow on his career and triggered fresh scrutiny over the monarchy.
Once reportedly described as the ‘favorite policeman’ of the late Queen Elizabeth, Loughborough now finds himself facing backlash. As per the latest emails, he allegedly allowed Metropolitan Police officers to accept the late financier’s hospitality while guarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor during a week-long trip to New York. This is particularly concerning as the visit happened in 2010, just two years after Epstein had been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor and spent 18 months in prison. The correspondence also suggests that the late financier personally coordinated the housing of the British guards. One exchange shows him inquiring whether accommodation was needed for security personnel just three days before Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrival.
The former Prince then confirmed he had two officers requiring rooms. The files indicate that Officer Julian Phillips arrived at Epstein’s seven-story, $58 million Manhattan property on November 28, 2010. He was allegedly provided a temporary security code, granting the police officers unrestricted access to the infamous townhouse that has since been described as a hub for sex trafficking.
When approached regarding the role he played in the 2010 security arrangements, Philips kept his silence on the matter. The Metropolitan Police soon issued a statement defending their officers while also acknowledging the delicate nature of the situation. The statement read, “Protection officers are held to the same high standards of professional behavior as all police officers. They know their actions will be open to scrutiny. While we do not comment on matters related to protective security, we can confirm that at this time, we have not identified any wrongdoing by any protection officers in relation to these matters.”
As reported by GB News, a Palace source has also chimed in on the issue, indicating that Loughborough should not be held personally responsible for the oversight, stating that matters regarding his police career were for the Met to address and that such a specific deployment wouldn’t have required his direct approval.
The disclosures continue to pile pressure on the Royal Family to clarify the extent of the former Duke’s relationship with Epstein and the degree to which senior officials were aware of the financier’s criminal background while authorizing official security details. While the police are still assessing the details, Charles has drawn a firm line between the Crown and his brother’s controversial ties. In a February 9 statement, Buckingham Palace noted, “If we are approached by Thames Valley Police, we stand ready to support them as you would expect.”
If you are being subjected to sexual assault, or know of anyone who is, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673)
If you know of any children who are being subjected to abuse, please contact The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453
