Prince Philip's Former Aide Benjamin Herman Accused of Sexually Assaulting Girl

A former aide to Prince Philip has been charged with sexually assaulting a girl while he was working with the Royal Family.

Benjamin Herman, 79, is accused of three counts of indecent assault on a girl aged around 12 between 1972 and 1974. During this time, he worked as an equerry, or personal assistant, to the Duke of Edinburgh.

Herman, a Lieutenant-Colonel and former marine, is set to appear at Westminster Magistrate's Court on 4 August to face the charges.

He was arrested 18 months ago after voluntarily attending a police station and has been on bail ever since.

The Daily Mirror reports police are examining the Duke of Edinburgh's diary between January 1972 and January 1974 as part of the investigation.

After working with Prince Philip between 1971 and 1974, Herman went on to become Princess Anne's head of household.

The alleged victim, who is now in her 50s, is said to have come forward in the wake of the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson 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.

"He was subsequently bailed to a date in mid-June pending further investigation."