An intruder has broken into the grounds of Windsor Castle near Princess Kate and Prince William's home.
A man in his 30s sparked a security scare at Windsor Castle on Sunday after climbing over a wall to gain access to the restricted grounds.
The intruder, believed to have been under the influence of drugs at the time, broke into the castle near Town Gate during Sunday lunchtime.
He was quickly arrested by officers from the Met Police Royal and Specialist Protection Command on suspicion of trespass on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs.
Intruder breaks into Windsor Castle near Princess Kate and Prince William's home.
Getty
The breach occurred just after 1pm on June 1, with officers on the grounds spotting and detaining the man swiftly.
The suspect was taken into custody and extensive checks were carried out into his background before being handed over to Thames Valley Police, the local force covering the area outside the castle's perimeter. He was subsequently released on bail pending further investigations.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police told GB News: “At just after 1pm on Sunday (1/6) a man entered restricted grounds at Windsor Castle.
"He was quickly challenged by Met police officers and arrested. He did not enter the inner grounds of Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle is located within the Crown Estate.
PA"He was arrested on suspicion of trespass on a secure site and possession of class A drugs. He has been bailed and an investigation is ongoing by Thames Valley Police.”
A spokesperson for the Met Police told the People's Channel: "A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of trespass on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs after entering private grounds at Windsor Castle.
"Officers in the grounds spotted the man just after 13:00hrs on Sunday, 1 June and quickly arrested him. He was then passed into the custody of Thames Valley Police."
The Prince and Princess of Wales were staying at Adelaide Cottage, their home on the Windsor estate, that day with children George, Charlotte and Louis. However, it is unclear whether William and Kate were present at the time of the break-in, which occurred some distance away from their residence.
Princess Kate and Prince William moved their family to Adelaide Cottage in 2022.
PARoyal aides and close protection officers were informed of the security breach as a matter of routine.
Police emphasised that the intruder did not reach the inner part of the castle, where the state apartments, St George's Chapel and the Inner Hall are situated.
A source said: "It was a crazy thing to do and caused quite a stir but at this stage it appears there was no intent to cause any serious harm."
Windsor Castle has experienced several security breaches over the years. In 2003, "comedy terrorist" Aaron Barchak managed to gatecrash Prince William's 21st birthday party inside the walls.
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Extra security has been brought in at Windsor Castle (file pic).
GettyThe Sun tested security on the eve of King Charles's 2005 wedding and drove a hired van through Henry VIII gate with a cardboard box marked "BOMB".
In 2012, a drunk man scaled a gate and got to within 65 metres of Queen Elizabeth II's private apartments before being tackled by armed protection officers.
Most seriously, in 2021, a man was arrested at Windsor Castle in possession of a crossbow after making a video saying he was on a mission to "assassinate the Queen". He was jailed for nine years in October 2023 after being convicted of treason.
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