We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again.

Armed cover for the Queen's children Anne and brothers Andrew - who has withdrawn from public life because of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal - and Edward was replaced in the past three weeks. Met Police protection officers guarding the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, will continue to carry Glock pistols.

The "drastic" changes were believed to be part of a wide-ranging reduction of armed protection for less senior royals, politicians and diplomats.

One source said: "It has caused a lot of angst among firearms officers who until now have been trained to take a bullet if need be."

Another added: "What are they supposed to do if it kicks off? Not intervene if someone is in danger but just shout advice at them? It's crazy."