Drum major was DROPPED from Prince Philip’s funeral ‘after Army chiefs discovered he and his partner had shared X-rated videos on porn site’
- CSgt Harry Sutton, from Derby, had been set to lead Band of Grenadier Guards
- The 32-year-old had previously said it would be an ‘honour’ to take up the role
- It is thought he was dropped over adult films made with partner Gemma Nixon
A senior drum major was dropped from taking part in Prince Philip’s funeral after Army chiefs allegedly discovered he and his partner had shared X-rated videos on a porn site.
Colour Sergeant Harry Sutton, from Derby, had been set to lead the Band of Grenadier Guards at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral at Windsor Castle earlier this month.
The 32-year-old had previously said it would be an ‘honour’ to take up the role but later told friends he had to pull out because he had spilt coffee on his gold ceremonial dress, according to The Sun.
But it is now thought that CSgt Sutton was dropped at the last minute after Army chiefs were made aware of adult films that he and partner Gemma Nixon had made and shared on a subscription site.
Colour Sergeant Harry Sutton, from Derby, (pictured wither partner Gemma Nixon) had been set to lead the Band of Grenadier Guards at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral at Windsor Castle earlier this month
The 32-year-old had previously said it would be an ‘honour’ to take up the role but later told friends he had to pull out because he had spilt coffee on his gold ceremonial dress, according to The Sun
CSgt Sutton was removed from the duty just hours before the ceremony and replaced by drum major Scott Fitzgerald from the 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards.
It is thought that his porn activity was uncovered during vetting of those due to take part in the parade.
A source told the publication: ‘Harry was absolutely gutted but took it on the chin. He hadn’t done anything illegal, but he understood why the Army made the decision.
‘A judgement was made that some people might find what he had done distasteful.
‘It was a tough call but the Army didn’t want anything to detract from the Duke of Edinburgh’s solemn day.’
It is thought that the senior drum major, 32, was dropped from taking part in Prince Philip’s funeral after Army chiefs discovered he and his partner (pictured) had shared X-rated videos on a porn site
CSgt Sutton, who remains a drum major, had previously served in Afghanistan, Kenya, the Falklands, Canada and on a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan.
He had been promoted to the role of senior drum major for the Household Division on Prince Philip’s death on April 9 – meaning it would have been his first ceremonial duty in the role.
CSgt Sutton had previously told the Derby Telegraph: ‘I took over this role on the same day of the announcement of the death of Prince Philip, it was quite a shock knowing my first parade would be his funeral.
‘It will be an honour to be leading the Band regardless of circumstances, however, I will be an extremely sad day, too…
CSgt Sutton was removed from the duty just hours before the ceremony (pictured) and replaced by drum major Scott Fitzgerald from the 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards
‘I will be thinking about ensuring I do everything correctly on Parade to ensure the Duke of Edinburgh has the faultless funeral that he deserves.’
But CSgt Sutton, who has since deleted his account on the subscription site, had to watch the service from the Victoria Barracks in Windsor.
An Army spokesman told MailOnline: ‘Due to an administrative change, a soldier from the Household Division was replaced from the ceremonial activity that supported the funeral of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.’
