Armed intruder arrested on Windsor Castle grounds, UK police say

19-year-old suspect found with ‘offensive weapon’ after breaching royal residence where Queen was staying on Christmas morning

Police guard the Henry VIII gate at Windsor Castle at Windsor, England on Christmas Day, on December 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Police guard the Henry VIII gate at Windsor Castle at Windsor, England on Christmas Day, on December 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

LONDON (AP) — British police said officers arrested a man armed with a weapon on the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday.

Thames Valley police said the security breach took place at 8:30 am on Christmas Day. The 19-year-old suspect from Southampton is in custody.

“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,” Thames Valley Police Superintendent Rebecca Mears said.

“We can confirm security processes were triggered within moments of the man entering the grounds and he did not enter any buildings,” she added.

Police did not detail what the weapon was.

Members of the royal family have been informed.

Queen Elizabeth II is spending the Christmas holidays at Windsor, having decided not to stay at Sandringham, the royal estate in eastern England where she traditionally spends the festive season with family.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

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