A shocking security breach near Windsor Castle has sent ripples of concern through the royal household and the public alike. Late at night on October 13th, masked intruders targeted Shaw Farm, a working farm located within the castle’s security perimeter, while Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, were asleep at nearby Adelaide Cottage.
The brazen criminals scaled a six-foot fence and made off with a black Isuzu pick-up truck and a red quad bike from a barn. Their escape was audacious: they rammed a stolen vehicle through a security gate, causing significant damage. The gate, frequently used by the royal family, highlights the vulnerability exposed by this incident. Adelaide Cottage, where the Prince and Princess of Wales reside with their children, is a mere five minutes from the crime scene, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of security measures.
Sources suggest this wasn’t a spontaneous act. The thieves appeared to have meticulously planned their operation. “They would have to have known the vehicles were stored there before they broke in and known when was the best time to get and escape without being caught. So they must have been watching Windsor Castle for a while,” a source revealed to The Irish Sun. While alarms were in place, the break-in went unnoticed until the thieves’ noisy escape.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the incident, reporting the burglary occurred around 11:45 pm on October 13th. The suspects fled towards the Old Windsor and Datchet area, leaving investigators to piece together the details of this audacious crime. No arrests have yet been made, but the investigation is ongoing. The police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
This incident casts a harsh spotlight on previously voiced criticisms regarding security at Windsor Castle. Recent reductions in armed police presence at two public entrances, aimed at creating a more welcoming atmosphere for tourists, have been cited as a potential contributing factor. Armed officers now primarily patrol during high-profile events like the Changing of the Guard.
This latest breach follows other security scares at Windsor Castle, including a Christmas Day incident in 2021 where an armed intruder attempted to approach Queen Elizabeth II, and a February 2023 incident involving a man arrested for trespassing near King Charles’ residence. The increased frequency of such incidents raises troubling questions about the overall security posture at the historic site. Neither the Prince and Princess of Wales nor Buckingham Palace have commented publicly on the recent break-in. King Charles was reportedly in Scotland at the time, and Queen Camilla was traveling in India.
The investigation is ongoing, and the public waits with bated breath for updates as authorities work to apprehend the perpetrators and bolster security at Windsor Castle. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present security challenges faced by even the most fortified locations.
