Sir, - During my service in the RUC (nine years) and the London Metropolitan Police (17 years) I had a number of interesting experiences involving the Royal Family.One of them related to the late Princess Margaret.
In the early 1970s, when I was commander in charge of the Albany area in Central London, I was responsible for organising and supervising police arrangements dealing with the princess's opening of a new theatre in Euston Road. She arrived on time (8 pm) in her chauffeur-driven royal limousine to be greeted by local dignitaries. She was then led up a flight of wide cement steps into the theatre. I knew she would not be out again for about two hours. Her car departed straight away.
Shortly after 10 p.m. she emerged, accompanied by Roger Moore (007) and Bryan Forbes (author/actor). All three stood chatting at the top of the steps. Her car had not come back. I told her Royalty Protection Officer (a PC in plain clothes) and directed him to let the group know. I also told him that I had a new police Hillman car and driver with me that would be available if the royal car did not arrive.
Ten minutes later it did and I sent an officer up to inform the protection officer. Simultaneously, using some very strong language, I asked the driver where "the hell" he had been. His reply stunned me momentarily. In an apologetic tone he said: "I went to a whorehouse in Argyll Square and got held up." I took particulars.
Princess Margaret came down the steps with her two companions, got in the car and left. What she did about her driver I never found out. She was not the most popular of the royals. Police saw her as the one most likely to complain if anything went awry.
Some weeks later I raided the brothel and arrested the two women running it.
- Yours, etc.,
W.G.A. SCOTT,
Friars Hill ,
Wicklow.