Just a few feet from where the Prince and Princess of Wales and their kids were soundly sleeping, masked intruders climbed a six-foot fence to enter the Windsor Castle estate in a terrifying breach of royal security.
The terrible event happened as the family was enjoying a peaceful evening at Adelaide Cottage, their home, when mayhem broke out just a short distance away.
Photo: © Steve Christo – Corbis
During the daring raid, the two intruders allegedly broke through a security gate at Shaw Farm on the estate using a stolen truck.
Once inside, they left a trail of destruction in their wake as they stole a quad bike and a farm pick-up truck. Notably, the now-destroyed gate is one of the closest exits to Adelaide Cottage, which William, Catherine, and their kids—George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6—frequently use for their daily arrivals and departures.
According to reports, alarms were set off during the raid, but the incident wasn’t fully realized until the security barrier at Shaw Farm Gate was destroyed.
Queen Camilla was away in India at the time of the incident, and King Charles was in Scotland. Concerns regarding Windsor Castle’s security measures have been rekindled by this most recent breach, particularly in light of reports that armed officers were taken out of certain public entrances.
Photo: © Getty Images
The raid raises serious concerns about how the intruders were able to perform such a bold act on Crown Estate property, even though the estate is still patrolled.
The burglary was confirmed by Thames Valley Police to have taken place on Sunday, October 13, shortly before midnight. A spokesperson revealed: “Offenders entered a farm building and made off with a black Isuzu pick-up and a red quad bike. They then made off towards the Old Windsor/Datchet area. No arrests have been made, and an investigation is ongoing.”
The Wales family moved to Adelaide Cottage in the summer of 2022, and it has since become their tranquil haven from the bustle of Kensington Palace.
The family can enjoy simplicity and seclusion at this Grade II-listed property, which is tucked away in the 655-acre Windsor Great Park.
When the family moved in, Adelaide Cottage didn’t need any expensive renovations or significant security upgrades like other royal homes did. In order to keep the family’s lifestyle more grounded, the four-bedroom layout is modest by royal standards and does not include live-in staff.
Photo: © Shutterstock
The historic cottage was first constructed in 1831 as a retreat for Queen Adelaide, William IV’s wife. In addition to being Queen Victoria’s favorite place for breakfast, it gained notoriety as the residence of Group Captain Peter Townsend, whose affair with Princess Margaret upended the monarchy. Its classic charm endures, with elements like a marble Graeco-Egyptian fireplace and a gilded ceiling in the main bedroom providing a window into its regal past.
Windsor Castle has experienced security lapses before the raid. On Christmas Day 2021, a crossbow-wielding intruder who had climbed a fence and claimed to have intended to harm the late Queen Elizabeth II was caught. The 23-year-old offender, Jaswant Singh Chail, was subsequently found guilty of treason and given a nine-year prison term.
