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Palaces & Buildings

Man arrested after breaking into Buckingham Palace

A man has been arrested at Buckingham Palace on suspicion of burglary, trespass and criminal damage, it is reported today. The man was arrested for the break in on Monday at about 10:20pm. The man was found in one of the State Rooms at the Palace which are currently open to the public during the day.

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It is reported that a second man was also arrested in connection with the incident, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.

This is not the first time that a lapse of security at Buckingham Palace has allowed someone to enter the premises undetected. In 1982, Michael Fagan broke into the Palace and managed to get, undetected, in to The Queen’s bedroom whilst she was there.

The Queen's Guards form part of the Palace security during the day, along with the Police. In the night, soldiers patrol the grounds of the palace not in ceremonial uniform.

Because the policeman guarding The Queen’s door had gone to walk the corgis, Her Majesty was left talking to Fagan for some time before The Queen rung through for a cigarette for Fagan and a footman came and apprehended Fagan until the police arrived.

Ever since, numerous security breaches of both Royal Residences and members of the Royal Family’s personal security has caused various changes to the system.

Currently, the Metropolitan Police guard the Royal Residences in conjunction with the Army who provide The Queen’s guard during the day. During the night, the soldiers also patrol the grounds of the palace as part of a security arrangement, they do not wear their traditional red tunic and bearskin for this duty.

No member of the Royal Family was in residence at the time, The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and some other members of the Royal Family being at Balmoral until October, but questions are still being asked about how they managed to get in despite lessons from previous incidents.

Buckingham Palace acts as The Queen’s working home when she’s in London, spending most working weeks there.