A man allegedly carrying a heavy rucksack managed to breach security at Kensington Palace, the London residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, on two separate occasions just days before Christmas, raising serious questions about royal protection.
Repeated Breaches at Royal Residence
Derek Egan, 39, from Hillingdon, was apprehended by specialist royal protection officers after he reportedly climbed over a fence into the palace grounds. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incidents occurred on Sunday, 21 December and Tuesday, 23 December. The intruder was able to access the property's gardens on both occasions before being caught.
The police stated that Egan was subsequently charged with trespassing on a protected site and breaching bail conditions. He was remanded in custody and appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 24 December.
Security Experts Voice 'Serious Concern'
The fact that the individual repeated the alleged offence after being granted initial bail has alarmed security professionals. Dai Davies, the former head of the Met Police's Royal and Specialist Protection branch, branded the events a "serious cause for concern".
He emphasised that the police must urgently establish what level of danger the Royal Family was exposed to. "The fact he repeated the offending after being given bail, given the nature of it, gives serious cause for concern," Davies told The Sun. "The police must work out what level of danger the Royal Family were in, and based on the charges, why on Earth he was given bail?"
Royals Not in Residence During Incidents
While the breaches are deeply troubling, it is understood that Prince William and Princess Kate were not present at Kensington Palace at the precise time of the intrusions. The couple, who now permanently reside in Windsor, were reportedly in London in the days leading up to the incidents, preparing for the traditional Royal Family Christmas at Sandringham.
This event is the latest in a series of security scares at royal properties. It echoes the 2021 Windsor Castle intrusion by Jaswant Singh Chail, who was armed with a crossbow while the late Queen was in residence. Chail was later sentenced to nine years in prison for treason.
The repeated breaches at one of the monarchy's most iconic addresses are now expected to prompt a major review of perimeter security and protection protocols, as questions mount over how such a determined intruder could succeed not once, but twice.
