A major security operation unfolded outside one of the monarchy's most iconic residences on Tuesday afternoon, bringing a swift and dramatic response from armed officers.
Clarence House, the official London home of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, was swiftly evacuated after a man was seen throwing a bag containing a mysterious white powder into the grounds. The incident triggered an immediate emergency response, with specialist units, including officers in hazmat suits, descending on The Mall to assess the potential threat.
Eyewitnesses reported a significant police presence, with the area cordoned off to the public as a precaution. A man, later identified as a 44-year-old from Düsseldorf, Germany, was detained at the scene. Following an assessment, he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act rather than being arrested under terrorism legislation.
"The man was taken to hospital," a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed. "The incident is not being treated as terror-related. The powder has been recovered and will be analysed. There were no reports of any injuries."
The swift action ensured the safety of all royal staff and members of the public. Clarence House, though unoccupied by the King at the time, remains a symbolically important building. The lockdown was lifted later in the evening once the substance was deemed to not pose a wider threat.
This event highlights the constant and vigilant security protocols surrounding the Royal Family, designed to respond instantly to any potential danger, no matter how perceived.
