Burglars have targeted the Windsor Castle estate, home to Prince William and Kate Middleton, leading to serious concerns about security at one of Britain’s most iconic royal residences. According to multiple reports, the break-in occurred on the night of October 13, and it has come to light just recently through various news outlets, including The Sun, NBC News, and CNN.
On the evening of the burglary, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—were reportedly sleeping just minutes away at their home, Adelaide Cottage, situated within the sprawling grounds of Windsor Castle.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the incident in statements made shortly after the news broke. They reported receiving the first alert around 11:45 PM local time. The intruders, said to be two masked men, managed to penetrate the estate by scaling a six-foot fence. Their targeted haul included two vehicles: a black Isuzu pickup truck and a red quad bike, which they snatched from Shaw Farm, one of the working farms on the royal grounds.
Witness accounts describe how the thieves used the stolen Isuzu to ram through the security gate as they made their exit, fleeing toward the Old Windsor/Datchet area. Fortunately, law enforcement officials have stated no one was injured during the raid. Despite the breach, no arrests have yet been made and the investigation is still active, with police urging anyone with information to come forward.
Interestingly, reports indicate this break-in follows the removal of armed police personnel from the very gate used by the burglars. Critics have raised alarm bells over this decision, questioning the safety protocols surrounding the £49 million estate, which serves as both a royal residence and public attraction. Security measures at other parts of the estate remain under scrutiny, especially since Windsor Castle has experienced past security incidents.
Even though the royal family often has heightened security, it appears the burglars had prior knowledge of the area, indicating they may have been keeping watch for some time. A source disclosed to The Sun about the break-in: “They would have to have known the vehicles were stored there before they broke in and known when was the best time to get out without being caught. So they must have been watching Windsor Castle for a long time.”
Although alarms were installed at Windsor Castle, initial alerts about the burglary only became apparent after the thieves had crashed through the gate. A source familiar with the situation noted, “The barrier has needed to be replaced as it was so badly damaged.” This security breach adds to concerns expressed by royal watchers and the public alike about the efficacy of protective measures at royal estates.
At the time of the incident, King Charles and Queen Camilla were not present. The King was reportedly away in Scotland, and Camilla had traveled to India as part of their tour engagements. This absence of the elder royals raises questions about the security arranged around the estate during their travels, as high-profile visitors might attract unwanted attention.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's move to Adelaide Cottage was strategic, mostly to be closer to their children’s school, Lambrook School, which is located nearby. Living so close to the site of the burglary, they are naturally concerned for their family's safety. Royal commentator Emily Nash emphasized the couple’s wishes for security, stating, "they want to make sure the place they live is as secure as possible, which is undoubtedly the case,” yet adding, “But it’s obviously concerning when anything like this happens, particularly in an area you'd expect to be very secure.”
The past few years have seen other breaches of security at Windsor. Just over two years ago, on Christmas Day of 2021, armed intruder entered the castle grounds, asserting he was on a mission to kill Queen Elizabeth II, who was residing there at the time. The assailant received multiple sentences for various offenses, including treason and possession of weapons.
Burglary at royal properties is not entirely new, but the audacity to target Windsor Castle itself raises eyebrows. Critics are calling for reviews of current policies and potentially stricter measures to protect these historic sites, especially with media attention and the presence of royal family members.
For now, the investigation continues as officers look for clues and gather any evidence they can to track down the culprits. With no specific leads reported as yet, the story screams for updates as many await to see how this story will evolve. Will the authorities bolster security measures? Can the royals feel safe again within their own walls? Only time will tell as this situation develops.
