Prince Andrew was challenged by police officers in Buckingham Palace in what is being called the worst security slip-up from the Palace in 30 years.
Scotland Yard guards were on high alert after an intruder was found in the state rooms, which are open to the public, after having scaled the palace walls, and thought they had found another intruder.
The Duke of York was taking a stroll through the Palace gardens two days after the security breach when he was mistaken for an intruder when he was stopped by guards and ordered to “put your hands up and get on the ground”.
Scotland Yard has since apologised for the incident, with the Prince gratefully accepting their apology.
“The police have a difficult job to do balancing security for the Royal Family and deterring intruders, and sometimes they get it wrong,” he said in a statement.
“I am grateful for their apology and look forward to a safe walk in the garden in the future.”
Police said they were “grateful to the Duke for his understanding”.
The incidents have prompted an internal review of palace security after two men were arrested on Monday night on suspicion of burglary, trespass and criminal damage.
DJ Victor Miller is currently being detained in a mental health unit following being ‘found in an area currently open to the public during the day’ in the palace, after scaling a 12ft fence to get there.
The 37-year-old was arrested alongside a second man, 38, who was arrested outside the palace for conspiracy to commit burglary at the same time, but has since been bailed.
It is believed that Miller was targeting the diamond necklace the Queen wore on her coronation day which is currently on display in the state rooms as part of the 60th anniversary coronation celebrations.
A spokesperson from Metropolitan Police confirmed no members of the royal family were at Buckingham Palace at the time of the incident.
Buckingham Palace, one of the Queen’s three official residences, has been subject to security breaches in the past, most famously in 1982 when a man broke into the Palace and made his way into the Queen’s bedroom.
The pair reportedly chatted for half an hour sitting on Her Majesty’s bed before the man was arrested.
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