SENIOR drum major was dropped just before Prince Philip’s funeral after Top Brass found out he had made porn videos.
Colour Sergeant Harry Sutton had told of his “pride” at the prospect of leading the Band of the Grenadier Guards into Windsor Castle.
But he suddenly claimed to pals that he was unable to take part because he had spilt coffee on his gold ceremonial dress.
Yet the officer, 32, was ditched just hours prior to last Saturday’s ceremony as Army chiefs scrambled to avoid a scandal.
They had been made aware of X-rated films that Sutton and his partner Gemma Nixon had made and shared on a subscription site.
Drum major Scott Fitzgerald, from the 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards, was then drafted in to replace CSgt Sutton.
A source said: “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.”
CSgt Sutton, from Derby, who had served in Afghanistan, was promoted to the role of senior drum major for the Household Division on the day of Prince Philip’s death, April 9.
He had said earlier: “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.”
But CSgt Sutton had to watch the service from Victoria Barracks in Windsor. It is understood his porn activity was uncovered in the vetting of those in the parade.
The Grenadier Guards led the procession because the Duke of Edinburgh served as their colonel in chief for 42 years. CSgt Sutton, who remains senior drum major, has deleted his account on the subscription site.
An Army spokesperson said the switch was made “due to an administrative change”.
bbc
