A 39-year-old man faces charges after twice scaling the walls of the Wales’ London residence

Scotland Yard has charged a 39-year-old man after a series of alarming security breaches at Kensington Palace just days before the Christmas holidays. Derek Egan, a resident of Hillingdon, allegedly managed to infiltrate the protected grounds of the royal residence twice in a single week. Specialist royal protection officers apprehended the suspect on two separate occasions, Sunday, 21 December, and Tuesday, 23 December, after he reportedly vaulted over perimeter fences.

Eyewitness accounts and police reports suggest the intruder was carrying a heavy rucksack during his incursions. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Egan gained access to the gardens surrounding Apartment 1A, which serves as the London base for the Prince and Princess of Wales. While the royal couple and their three children were not in residence at the time, the breach has sparked a significant investigation into how a single individual could penetrate the high-security site on two consecutive occasions.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, were reportedly staying at Anmer Hall, their country home on the Sandringham estate, when the incidents took place. However, the family had spent the preceding days in London preparing for their traditional royal Christmas. The proximity of the intrusions to their departure has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of the ten royal family members and numerous staff who reside within the palace complex.

Following his second arrest, authorities charged Egan with two counts of trespassing on a protected site and breaching bail conditions. The suspect appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 30 December, where he reportedly admitted to the charges. However, the proceedings were marred by his disorderly behaviour. Legal sources indicate that Egan shouted abuse while in the dock, leading District Judge Sam Goozee to remand him in custody.

The judge noted the seriousness of the situation, stating that he would proceed with a further hearing in Egan’s absence on 6 January because of his continued hostility toward court officials. The Crown Prosecution Service is currently seeking the Attorney General’s consent to move forward with the prosecution, a requirement under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 for incidents involving national security and the safety of the Royal Family.

Security experts have reacted with disbelief to the news that the suspect was initially granted bail after the first breach on 21 December. Dai Davies, the former head of the Metropolitan Police’s Royal and Specialist Protection branch, described the events as a serious cause for concern. He questioned why someone caught on royal grounds would be released, only to return forty-eight hours later. Davies emphasised that any attempt to enter Kensington Palace requires a deep investigation into motives and potential fixations on members of the Royal Family.

This security lapse follows a string of recent concerns for the Windsors. Only last year, a separate attempt occurred at Windsor Castle, and the memory of the 2021 crossbow incident involving Queen Elizabeth II remains fresh in the public consciousness. While the Met Police maintained that officers quickly challenged and arrested the intruder before he could reach the inner buildings, the repeated nature of the trespass suggests a vulnerability in the palace’s perimeter.

The Wales family recently relocated their permanent residence to Forest Lodge in Windsor, seeking a fresh start away from the more public atmosphere of Adelaide Cottage. Despite this move, Kensington Palace remains its primary administrative hub and London home. The Metropolitan Police have assured the public that they are reviewing security protocols at all royal sites to prevent such brazen attempts from recurring during future festive periods.