A man has been arrested after unlawfully entering restricted areas of Windsor Castle, the historic residence of the British royal family.
On June 3, a Thames Valley Police spokesperson confirmed the incident to PEOPLE, stating it took place in the early afternoon of Sunday, June 1.
“Just after 1 p.m. on Sunday (1/6), a man entered a restricted area at Windsor Castle,” the police spokesperson said.
“He was swiftly confronted by Metropolitan Police officers and taken into custody. He did not gain access to the castle’s inner grounds,” they added.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of trespassing on a secure site and possessing Class A drugs. He has since been released on bail while the investigation continues, Thames Valley Police confirmed.
A man in his 30s has been arrested for trespassing on a protected site and for possessing Class A drugs after he entered private grounds at Windsor Castle, according to a police statement. “Officers in the grounds spotted the man just after 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 1 and quickly arrested him. He was then handed over to Thames Valley Police,” the statement said.
Security for the royal family is managed by the Metropolitan Police. Under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, it’s a criminal offense to trespass on protected sites such as Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, and Kensington Palace.
It’s still unclear whether any members of the royal family were present at the time of the incident. Prince William and Kate Middleton live nearby at Adelaide Cottage, located in Windsor Great Park, with their children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
In November 2024, police reported a break-in at Windsor Castle. According to authorities, two masked intruders broke into farm buildings on the Windsor estate on Sunday, October 13 — at a time when the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children were believed to be nearby at home.
Investigators believe the suspects were after farm equipment and used a stolen vehicle to smash through a security gate while fleeing the scene.
Windsor Castle, established by William the Conqueror around 1070, is the world’s oldest and largest castle still in use.