Philip, Duke of Edinburgh linked to scandalous affairs by top secret FBI papers

The Netflix series, 'The Crown', was criticized for hinting at a connection between Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and those involved in the racy scandal that brought down the British Conservative government in 1963.

But now, according to The Mail on Sunday, top secret FBI papers show a memo from FBI chief J Edgar Hoover indicating that the suggestion of a connection may not have been so far-fetched.

Writing to the US Embassy in London, Hoover said, "There was a rumor Prince Philip may have been involved with these two girls."

Hoover was referring in his memo to claims made by Thomas Corbally, an American businessman and socialite, during an interview with the FBI concerning osteopath – and alleged Soviet ally – Stephen Ward.

The girls in question were undoubtedly teenage showgirl Christine Keeler and her friend Mandy Rice-Davies who were procured for s e * for members of the British establishment by the well-connected Stephen Ward.

Hoover is careful to use the word "rumor" in his memo, undoubtedly aware of the delicacy of the issue while also being used to fielding wild claims on prominent figures.

Christine Keeler was at the heart of the scandal along with Conservative Secretary for War, John Profumo who was married to the actress Valerie Hobson. Add to the mix Ward’s Soviet friend and alleged accomplice, Yevgeny Ivanov.

Christine was introduced to Profumo by Ward at one of the many Clivedon parties around what Tatler describes as “the most notorious swimming pool in the country,” located between Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

A five-month affair ensued between Keeler and Profumo. At the same time, Keeler was sleeping with Ivanov, a Soviet Military attaché and potential security risk.

According to Town and Country magazine, Ward and Ivanov were working together to get information out of Profumo. The KGB is quoted by The Times claiming to have “received a lot of useful information from Profumo from Christine Keeler.”

With rumors rife over his affair, Profumo felt obliged to deny it in the House of Commons in 1963, but a police investigation forced him to come clean and he resigned in disgrace. The Macmillan government collapsed shortly after.

With Profumo’s affair making headlines, Stephen Ward’s activities came under scrutiny and he was accused of living off the immoral earnings of Keeler and Rice-Davies. He took an overdose before his trial concluded.

Ward is said in 'The Crown' to have treated Philip for a sore neck. In real life, Ward undoubtedly came to Buckingham Palace to sketch the Duke of Edinburgh, as he was also something of an artist.

For decades the Palace denied Philip had any involvement in Ward’s activities or was connected in any way to the scandal, according to Vanity Fair. The Palace did not comment on the FBI papers.

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