Composer's aides in theft charge

Sir Peter lives on a remote Orkney island

The former business managers of the Queen's honorary composer have been charged with stealing almost £450,000 from him, Scotland Yard has said.

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, a classical composer named as Master of the Queen's Music, alerted police near his Orkney home that money was missing.

His royal role is an honorary position similar to that of Poet Laureate.

Michael Arnold, 75, and wife Judith, 73, of Sneath Avenue in Barnet, north London, are charged with theft.

The couple, who worked as his financial and business management team for more than 20 years, will appear at West London Magistrates' Court on 3 November.

The charges follow a lengthy police investigation that began on the remote Orkney island of Sanday, where Sir Peter lives, in September 2006.

Officers from the Northern Constabulary in Inverness conducted an initial investigation before passing the matter to the Metropolitan Police.

The alleged theft covers the period between April 1990 and September 2006.

Sir Peter, 74, is a prolific composer who has also written a Christmas carol for the Queen as part of his honorary role, which was first created in 1626.