Police give update on ex-Royal gardener and advisor to King Charles from Blackpool following paedophile claims

Matthew Calderbank
By Matthew Calderbank

Chief Reporter for Lancashire Post / Blackpool Gazette

Published 7th Mar 2024, 13:51 BST
Updated 24th May 2024, 14:56 BST
Police have issued an update on a former Royal gardener who is facing paedophile claims in Lancashire.

Paedophile hunters carried out a sting in February on a Blackpool man who claims to have worked for the Royal Family.

The 68-year-old was arrested after the vigilante group visited his home in the resort on February 24, 2024.

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The sting was live streamed on Facebook, with the man inviting the group into his home where he was accused of grooming and sending sexually explicit images to a 15-year-old boy online.

Inside, dozens of framed pictures of the Royal Family adorned his walls.

He revealed he was a retired gardener who was formerly employed by the Royals at Kensington Palace and Balmoral Castle.

He claims to have worked for King Charles - "advising him on organic gardening matters" - and said he was on close, personal terms with other senior members of the Royal Family.placeholder image
He claims to have worked for King Charles - "advising him on organic gardening matters" - and said he was on close, personal terms with other senior members of the Royal Family. | Getty

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He claims to have worked for King Charles - "advising him on organic gardening matters" - and was close to other senior members of the Royal Family.

In the video, he alleged that he is 'still very close' with the Royal Family - most recently working for them during the King's coronation last year.

Balmoral Castle. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA Wireplaceholder image
Balmoral Castle. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

He alleged that Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, had even visited his home in a "beat up old Range Rover to avoid being noticed".

Speaking openly about his service to the Royal household, he claimed the late Queen Elizabeth II had a ribald sense of humour and "loved playing naughty pranks".

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He also hit out at Meghan and Harry - describing the Duchess of Sussex as 'vile', and alleged he had been 'groped' by Prince Andrew - saying the Prince 'grabbed his bottom'placeholder image
He also hit out at Meghan and Harry - describing the Duchess of Sussex as 'vile', and alleged he had been 'groped' by Prince Andrew - saying the Prince 'grabbed his bottom' | Getty Images

During the 45-minute interrogation inside his Blackpool living-room, he also hit out at Meghan and Harry - describing the Duchess of Sussex as 'vile', and alleged he had been 'groped' by Prince Andrew.

Lancashire Police were called to the home and the 68-year-old was arrested and taken into custody. The force said he remains on bail as of January 13, 2025, as investigations into the alleged offences continue.

A police spokesperson said: "A 68-year-old man from Blackpool was arrested on February 24, 2024 on suspicion of sexual offences. He remains on conditional bail."

Buckingham Palace said it was unable to comment due to its "staff privacy policy".

Related topics:BlackpoolBuckingham PalaceRoyalsLancashire PolicePoliceVideoCoronationFacebookElizabeth IIPrince William
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