Intruder breaks into Buckingham Palace while Queen sleeps

A 22-year-old man has broken into the Queen's home at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty
A 22-year-old man has broken into the Queen's home at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty

An intruder has broken into Buckingham Palace as the Queen slept just metres away.

The major security breach occurred at 2am on Wednesday, when a 22-year-old man scaled a fence at the front of the building before banging down an external door.

Sources told tabloids it took police almost five minutes to apprehend the man, as it remained unclear whether or not he was armed.

Fears are also mounting the intrusion could have been a copycat of Michael Fagan, who famously managed to break into Her Majesty’s bedroom exactly 37 years ago.

Major security breach

A royal insider told The Sun the man was ‘on the loose for a good few minutes’ as chaos ensued for palace security and the Queen lay sleeping.

“He was determined to get inside the palace and was banging down the doors but, thank goodness, this time everything was locked up,” they said.

Exactly 37 years ago, intruder Michael Fagan famously managed to break into the Queen's room at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty
Exactly 37 years ago, intruder Michael Fagan famously managed to break into the Queen's bedroom at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty

In line with protocol, the would-be crook knew the Queen was home due to a Union Jack flag flying high above the palace, although it’s believed Prince Philip was elsewhere at the time.

Her Majesty is believed to have been informed of the breach, which left insiders questioning the palace’s apparent lack of protection for the 93-year-old monarch.

“How is it possible all these years later that someone can climb the fence and get right inside the grounds without being stopped immediately?” the source told The Sun.

After being arrested, the man was found not to be armed and remains at a central London police station.

However, just hours after the security breach took place all seemed well for the younger royals as both the Cambridge and Sussex families were spotted enjoying a polo match together.