A royal protection officer was captured reaching for his concealed pistol during Prince Charles's visit to the Glastonbury Festival last month, after a man broke through the security cordon. The incident occurred in the Greenpeace field as the prince's convoy arrived, drawing a large crowd of cheering festival-goers.
Photographs show the suited bodyguard placing his hand on the butt of his holstered weapon as a bearded man in a red shirt and shorts rushed towards the prince with arms outstretched. The officer's hand lingered under his jacket for several moments before he determined the man posed no threat.
The individual was later identified as Bob Wilson, manager of the Greenpeace Field. He had been approaching his friend Benet Northcote, Prince Charles's private secretary, who was standing just behind the prince. Northcote previously worked for Greenpeace before joining the royal household.
Once the situation was clarified, the protection officer made an exaggerated arm movement to signal to other officers that the man was no longer considered a risk. The prince himself had turned his head, apparently expecting the man to greet him.
