Royal protection team faces investigation after claims officers slept on duty

Allegations have emerged that armed police officers assigned to protect Windsor Castle may have fallen asleep on duty.

Reports suggest that the Metropolitan Police Service has launched an urgent internal investigation into members of its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, the team which is responsible for guarding senior royals and royal residences.

An insider told Radar Online, "There is genuine concern internally that some officers became complacent because Windsor can appear quiet for long stretches when senior royals are not constantly moving around the estate. But security experts know that those quieter periods can actually create vulnerability because routines become predictable and attention levels can drop."

"The fear is not simply about officers nodding off. The wider concern is that any lapse at a site protecting members of the Royal Family could create an opening for somebody with far more dangerous intentions. That is why the allegations are being treated so seriously behind closed doors," the source added.

The sources shared that one of the claims being examined involves "an officer allegedly signing in for an armed protection shift but then failing to properly attend the position they had been assigned to cover."

"If proven true, that's being viewed internally as an extremely serious lapse given the sensitivity of the site and the level of responsibility attached to royal protection duties," they added.

Noting that there is a concern within police circles since such situations damage "confidence not only in the officers involved but in the wider security operation surrounding the Royal Family."

"Windsor Castle is one of the most high-profile protected locations in the country, so any suggestion that standards may have slipped is hugely embarrassing for the Met and raises uncomfortable questions about potential vulnerabilities.

"The allegations are being treated with real urgency because they go far beyond minor disciplinary issues. Officers could ultimately face suspension, restrictions on duties, or formal misconduct proceedings if investigators conclude there was neglect of responsibilities or behavior that placed security at risk," the source added.

It is pertinent to mention that King Charles and other senior royals have reportedly been informed.