Armed man from Hampshire arrested in grounds of Windsor Castle as Queen celebrates Christmas

AN armed man from Hampshire has been arrested in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The 19-year-old from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon.

Officers from Thames Valley Police (TVP) and the Metropolitan Police responded to a security breach at around 8.30am within the grounds of the castle in Berkshire where the Queen is in residence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The man, who is in custody, was not in any buildings on the estate and ‘security processes were triggered within moments of the man entering the grounds’, police said.

The man remains in custodyThe man remains in custody
The man remains in custody

The Queen is spending Christmas Day at Windsor Castle and was expected to have lunch with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Read More
Covid: All of the coronavirus restrictions you have to follow on Christmas in En...

Charles, Camilla, Edward and Sophie, along with their children Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, attended a church service in St George’s Chapel, in the castle grounds, at 10.45am on Christmas morning.

TVP Superintendent Rebecca Mears said: ‘An investigation is ongoing following this incident and we are working with colleagues from the Metropolitan police.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘The man has been arrested on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon.

‘He remains in custody at this time.

‘We can confirm security processes were triggered within moments of the man entering the grounds and he did not enter any buildings.

‘Members of the royal family have been informed about the incident.

‘We do not believe there is a wider danger to the public.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Subscribe here for unlimited access to all our coverage, including Pompey, for just 26p a day.