King Charles's aide oversaw royal protection at Epstein's home, emails claim

Mr Loughborough, then commanding Scotland Yard's royalty and diplomatic protection unit, allegedly supervised the decision permitting the elite officers to accept Epstein's hospitality while guarding the then-Prince Andrew during a 2010 US trip.

The financier had already served an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in June 2008.

Recently released US Department of Justice files disclose that the officers seemingly stayed at Epstein's seven-storey Manhattan townhouse, with correspondence showing the late paedophile personally offered to house the policemen.

One of the Metropolitan Police officers was provided with a temporary security code granting both guards unrestricted access to the £43million property on 71st Street.

Email exchanges appear to show that three days before Andrew's arrival, Epstein enquired whether accommodation was needed for security personnel. The then-prince confirmed he had two officers requiring rooms in New York.

Andrew's former private secretary, Amanda Thirsk, separately contacted Epstein's executive assistant Lesley Groff to confirm space for both protection officers at the residence.

Emails allege, Officer Julian Phillips reached the mansion on November 28, a day ahead of Andrew and his second PPO, who landed on November 29. The party remained until December 6 or 7, the emails appear to show.

The townhouse, featuring a massage room decorated with paintings of naked women and containing lubricant bottles, was regularly visited by young girls and is believed to have been the location of numerous sex crimes.

Mr Loughborough, a hereditary peer and 7th Earl of Rosslyn, was reportedly Queen Elizabeth's "favourite policeman" before departing the Met in 2014 to become master of the household to Charles, then Prince of Wales.

He was elevated to lord steward and personal secretary to the King and Queen in 2023.

Fresh disclosures also seem to show Andrew stayed at Epstein's luxury Avenue Foch apartment in Paris twice during 2009, while the paedophile remained under house arrest.

In September 2009, the prince wrote to Epstein: "I have to go to Paris this coming weekend. This is a private weekend and I am already booked into a hotel, but on the off-chance that you would allow me to use your apartment it would be really great from a number of perspectives."

Following a second stay, Andrew seems to thank Epstein for "the use of your wonderful apartment in Paris."

Staff from Epstein's household have previously recalled observing British police officers accompanying Andrew during his visits to the Paris property.

Mr Phillips, who served more than three decades with the Met, was awarded a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in 2023 for services to the royal household.

When approached for comment, he declined to respond to questions.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman stated: "Protection officers are held to the same high standards of professional behaviour 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."

A Palace source indicated that matters concerning Mr Loughborough's police career were for the Met to address, adding that such a deployment would not have required his direct approval.

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