Man, 19, who was arrested at Windsor Castle ‘armed with a crossbow’ is sectioned

Publish on December 26, 2021

A 19-year-old man who was arrested at Windsor Castle allegedly armed with a crossbow has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act. 

It comes as police stepped up security at the Queen‘s residence after the apparent break-in attempt early on Christmas Day. 

The man, from Southampton, was arrested on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon, police said. 

Officers decided to section him under the Mental Health Act following an assessment and he remains in the care of medical professionals.   

Armed officers stood on guard and a surveillance vehicle was spotted on castle grounds this morning as police stepped up security for the Royal Family after the scare yesterday.

Sources suggested the man was armed with a crossbow and used a rope ladder to scale a metal fence but police refused to divulge exactly what he was carrying.

It is understood he was spotted on CCTV roaming the gardens at around 8.30am after scaling an outer wall and later triggered an alarm. Armed response teams raced to the scene within minutes.

It is not clear if the intruder got close to the Queen’s private apartments. Police confirmed he did not enter any buildings and quickly ruled out any terrorist motive. 

Police officers stands guard outside Windsor Castle after an intruder broke into the grounds

Heightened security inside the grounds of Windsor Castle this morning after a intruder broke into the grounds on Christmas Day

A police officer stands outside Windsor Castle after an intruder got into the grounds

Last night, a 19-year-old man from Southampton was being held on suspicion of ‘breach or trespass of a protected site’ and possession of an offensive weapon.

Crossbows are often referred to as ‘lethal but legal’ because they require no licence or registration and can be bought on the internet.

Within an hour of the security scare, the Queen, who is having Christmas at Windsor instead of Sandringham due to Covid fears, welcomed Prince Charles and Camilla to the castle.  

Prince Edward and Sophie arrived soon afterwards with their children, Lady Louise, 18, and Viscount Severn, 14.

Charles, Edward and their wives were later photographed as they made their way to a service in St George’s Chapel in the grounds of the castle. 

The Queen missed the service in what is understood to be a personal choice.  All the Royals then had lunch together.

Tourist stand in front of the Henry VII gate and take pictures at Windsor castle at Windsor, England on Christmas Day

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have arrived for the Christmas Matins service in Windsor Castle

The Queen paid an emotional tribute to her late husband Prince Philip in her Christmas message, while sitting beside a framed picture of the royal couple (pictured)

Did YOU see the Windsor Castle intruder?

Email [email protected] 

The break-in came as the 95-year-old Monarch reflected on a year of personal grief in a deeply personal Christmas message, her first since Prince Philip’s death. 

She said his ‘mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.’

A Palace source said: ‘Fortunately the intruder was apprehended and police were on the scene almost immediately but there is a chill in the air over what could have been.’

One source said: ‘Security controllers monitoring the CCTV couldn’t believe their eyes when they spotted the man carrying what appeared to be a crossbow, and scrambled armed police.’

Thames Valley’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said: ‘This individual was arrested at the earliest opportunity and had not entered any buildings. 

‘I’ve spoken to the Chief Constable and we want reassurances about the security.’

The man was taken to Maidenhead police station. It is believed to be at least the third major security breach at Windsor in the past year.

Five intruders made it on to royal grounds with two breaches coming days apart, in April. 

In one, a woman was allowed into Prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge after claiming she was his fiancee and they had a lunch appointment.

Last week, a woman was arrested after banging on Prince Andrew’s car window and shouting at him as he drove from Royal Lodge to the castle.  

Sophie and Edward were accompanied by their daughter Lady Louise and son James, Viscount Severn. The royals were greeted at the entrance by the Dean of Windsor before moving inside for the morning service

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester arrive to attend the Christmas Day morning church service at St George’s Chapel

‘Comedy terrorist’ who gatecrashed Prince William’s 21st birthday party 

This is not the suspected security breach to have taken place in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

In June 2003, self-styled ‘comedy terrorist’ Aaron Barschak came to national fame by gatecrashing Prince William’s 21st birthday party at Windsor.

During the affair, Barschak wore a pink dress, a false beard and a turban in a fashion similar to Osama bin Laden.

In June 2003, self-styled ‘comedy terrorist’ Aaron Barschak came to national fame by gatecrashing William’s 21st birthday party at Windsor. During the affair, Barschak wore a pink dress, a false beard and a turban in a fashion similar to Osama bin Laden

After flashing his merkin at the crowds outside, he scaled the walls of the castle and entered the young prince’s party.

Sources told The Guardian at the time that CPS lawyers decided there was ‘insufficient evidence’ to charge Barschak for one or more of four offences – burglary, threatening behaviour, criminal trespass and assault.

After learning he would face no action, the ‘comedy terrorist’ claimed his stunt had brought him celebrity status.

In an interview with LBC News, he said: ‘I don’t speak to any of my friends anymore. I’m far too famous for them. I get people in the street coming up to me and it’s a terrible strain.’

After learning he would face no action, the ‘comedy terrorist’ claimed his stunt had brought him celebrity status

Barschak claimed that he was challenged and escorted to a police point after breaking into the grounds, but was allowed into the party area after giving what the Met Police described as a ‘credible story’.

At least nine police officers were under disciplinary investigation over the incident. 

Chief Inspector Mark Goddard, a senior officer who was in charge of security at Windsor, was moved from his position.