Britain's Prince Andrew has been accused of forcing royal security officers to act as ball boys during golf practices at London's Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of York - a golfing fanatic who has been criticized for taking his golf clubs abroad with him while on business trips in his position as ambassador for British business - reportedly asked duty officers to run to collect balls he hit while practicing his swing.

Police Constable Paul Page, a former member of the Royalty Protection Department, made the allegation in documents lodged at Southwark crown court.

The files also claim the 48-year-old prince entertained female friends - including Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of the late tycoon Robert Maxwell - at the palace without proper vetting and that some officers handled firearms while drunk and dealt in pornography.

Mr Page, 37, is facing fraud charges for alleged involvement in a multimillion-pound spread betting syndicate. He worked at the Palace for a decade before he was sacked and charged with fraudulent trading - which he denies. The Met and Buckingham Palace refused to comment.