In a disturbing security breach, masked intruders scaled a six-foot fence to gain access to the Windsor Castle estate, just yards from where the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children were sleeping soundly.
The unsettling incident took place while the family was enjoying a quiet night at their home, Adelaide Cottage, with chaos unfolding mere moments from their doorstep.
The audacious attack saw the two intruders reportedly using a stolen truck to crash through a security gate, gaining entry to Shaw Farm on the estate. Once inside, they stole a farm pick-up truck and a quad bike, leaving destruction behind them.
Notably, the damaged gate is one of the closest exits to Adelaide Cottage, a route frequently used by William, Kate, and their children—George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6—during their daily routines.
Alarms were reportedly triggered during the break-in, but it wasn’t until the security barrier at Shaw Farm Gate was destroyed that the scale of the breach became clear. At the time of the incident, King Charles was in Scotland, and Queen Camilla was in India.
This breach has once again raised concerns about security at Windsor Castle, especially following reports that armed officers had been removed from some public entrances.
While the estate is still patrolled, the raid has raised serious questions about how intruders managed to carry out such a bold act on Crown Estate property.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the burglary, which occurred just before midnight on Sunday, October 13. A spokesperson reported: “Offenders entered a farm building and stole a black Isuzu pick-up and a red quad bike. They then fled towards the Old Windsor/Datchet area. No arrests have been made, and an investigation is ongoing.”
Adelaide Cottage, where the Wales family moved in the summer of 2022, has become their peaceful refuge from the public eye. Set in the private 655-acre Windsor Great Park, the Grade II-listed property offers privacy and simplicity. Unlike other royal homes, the cottage didn’t require extensive renovations or major security upgrades when the family relocated. Its modest four-bedroom layout, without live-in staff, was a conscious choice to maintain a more grounded lifestyle.
Built in 1831 as a retreat for Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV, the cottage holds historical significance. It was a favorite spot for Queen Victoria’s breakfasts and later became the home of Group Captain Peter Townsend, whose romance with Princess Margaret caused a stir within the monarchy.
The cottage still features charming details, including a gilded ceiling in the principal bedroom and a marble Graeco-Egyptian fireplace, reflecting its royal past.
This break-in isn’t the first security scare at Windsor Castle. On Christmas Day 2021, an intruder armed with a crossbow was apprehended after scaling a fence, claiming he intended to harm the late Queen Elizabeth II. Jaswant Singh Chail, the 23-year-old responsible, was later sentenced to nine years in prison for treason.
