King’s ‘most trusted aide' was head of royal protection when Prince Andrew sought 'dirt' on Virginia Giuffre

Lord Peter Rosslyn, who now serves as Lord Steward and Personal Secretary to the King and Queen, was head of Royalty and Diplomatic Protection between 2003 and 2014.

His time in the role covered when Andrew allegedly approached his Metropolitan Police close protection officer with sensitive information about Ms Giuffre in 2011, Sky News reported.

It is not known at this time if Lord Rosslyn, known at the time as Commander Peter Loughborough, was made aware of the inquiries made by Prince Andrew.

However, police sources suggested to Sky that the severity of the request would have necessitated the officer escalate it further to senior staff, although there may well have been other senior members of staff between the police officer and Lord Rosslyn at the time.

Now in more direct royal service, Lord Rosslyn is responsible for managing all aspects of King Charles’s personal affairs and his non-state business.

Among those familiar with the royal household, he is considered one of the monarch’s closest and most trusted aids.

GB News has approached Lord Rosslyn for comment via the House of Lords but has yet to receive a response from him directly.

Sky news was directed to Buckingham Palace when they contacted Lord Rosslyn.

Upon reaching out to Buckingham Palace, The People's Channel was advised to approach the Metropolitan Police.

In speaking to the force, Scotland Yard referred GB News to their earlier statement on the allegations relating to Prince Andrew and his PPO that: “We are aware of media reporting and are actively looking into the claims made.”

Following Sky News initial posting of the story, it has now been covered by other publications including the Daily Mail and The Mirror.

Over the weekend, the Mail on Sunday reported on leaked emails that appeared to show Prince Andrew telling the late Queen’s deputy press secretary, Ed Perkins, that he shared confidential information about Ms Giuffre with his bodyguard.

Prince Andrew declined to comment on the allegations relating to him and his PPO when contacted by the paper.

GB News also approached the royal's representatives for comment but received no response.

In the correspondence, Andrew appeared to write: "It would also seem she has a criminal record in the (United) States. I have given her DoB (date of birth) and social security number for investigation with (redacted), the on-duty ppo (personal protection officer)."

The email was sent on February 26, 2011, apparently following Andrew's receipt of infamous photograph showing him and Ms Giuffre in Ghislaine Maxwell’s London house from Mr Perkins earlier that day.

Andrew had allegedly responded to seeing the image by contacting Maxwell, then informing Perkins: "I've just had a short conversation with Ghislaine (Maxwell) and she says VR (Virginia Giuffre-Roberts) is a lying so and so, paraphrasing, but this is consistent with what JE (Jeffrey Epstein) says."

Mr Perkins was seen to reply: "Indeed Sir. All received. Awaiting their response now. Lawyers primed."

At this time, it is not known how Prince Andrew allegedly attained the confidential information about Ms Giuffre, and there is no indication that the Met Police officer complied with his alleged request.

It represents one of many scandals currently circling Prince Andrew, who gave up the use of his royal titles on Friday, relating to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and links to China.

Prince Andrew strongly denies all accusations made against him by Ms Giuffre.

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