Charles and Philip may be dragged into 'sex and drugs blackmail' trial

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Ian Strachan, 31, and Sean McGuigan, 40, will appear at the Old Bailey next month accused of threatening to reveal videos allegedly showing the minor Royal's aide snorting cocaine.

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Held: Ian Strachan is to stand trial at the Old Bailey next month, accused of blackmailing a member of the Royal Family

The employee also claimed that the Royal had performed a sex act on him.

Both Strachan and McGuigan deny blackmail but have been remanded in custody since September.

Now, according to sources close to the investigation, Strachan's defence team may subpoena the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The unnamed Royal told police that he had never met his blackmailers. Strachan insists that he and the Royal had met several times – and that Prince Charles and Prince Philip can prove the connection. Their evidence relates to a series of text messages.

The defence team would need leave from the judge to call members of the Royal Family.

Strachan is represented by Giovanni di Stefano, the lawyer nicknamed the Devil's Advocate because his list of past clients includes Saddam Hussein, the Serbian warlord Arkan and Britain's worst serial killer, Dr Harold Shipman.

Mr di Stefano said: "Prince Charles and Prince Philip may be subpoenaed for probative reasons although I hope it won't get that far.

"I have made representations to the court to drop this case. This case is not in the public interest and there is no evidence that my client is guilty of blackmail."

The Crown Prosecution Service has applied for the trial to be held behind closed doors, with no Press present.

McGuigan and Strachan were arrested last year after the Royal claimed they tried to extort £50,000 in exchange for agreeing not to sell their recordings of conversations with his aide to the media. There were 16 audio and 24 video tapes.

The Royal vehemently denies the claims made in the tapes.

Strachan insists that he was trying to protect the Royal and that he simply wanted to inform him of the allegations.

If there is a conviction, it would be the first extortion attempt on a member of the Royal Family in more than 100 years.

The last time was in 1891 when the future Edward VII discussed the possibility of paying off two prostitutes he had met, in exchange for the return of two letters he had sent to them.

A spokesperson for the Duke of Edinburgh refused to comment. A spokesperson for the Prince of Wales said: "He has not been called to give evidence."