Prince Philip's Former Aide On Sex Charge

A former aide to the Duke of Edinburgh has been charged with sexually abusing a girl in the early 1970s.

Benjamin Herman, 79, is accused of three indecent assaults against the child, who was aged around 12 at the time, between 1972 and 1974.

During this time Herman served as the Philip's equerry, or personal assistant.

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said Herman will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Monday.

"He is charged with three counts of indecent assault between 1972 and 1974 on a girl aged around 12," the spokesman said.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

The Lieutenant-Colonel was Philip's equerry between 1971 to 1974, attending to his engagements and private matters.

He went on to become head of the Princess Royal's household in 1974.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police would not comment on whether former palace staff had been interviewed.

He said: "Officers from Wandsworth CID investigating an allegation of historical sexual assault which occurred between 1972 and 1974 at a location in Putney arrested a 79-year-old man."