Met Police investigate video after man arrested at Windsor Castle with crossbow on Christmas Day
The Metropolitan Police is investigating a video linked to a man who was arrested at Windsor Castle with a crossbow on Christmas Day.
The video, obtained by The Sun, appears to show a masked figure in a dark hoodie holding a crossbow and addressing the camera with a distorted voice, saying they wanted to “assassinate the Queen” in a “revenge” mission.
A 19-year-old man was arrested within the grounds of the castle in Berkshire where the Queen is in residence.
The man, from Southampton, was arrested on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon.
Police said he has since been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and remains in the care of medical professionals.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “Security processes were triggered within moments of the man entering the grounds and he did not enter any buildings.
“Following a search of the man, a crossbow was recovered.”
They added: “Inquiries into the full circumstances of this incident are being progressed by Metropolitan Police specialist operations.”
The Met would not comment on who appeared in the video, but a spokesperson said in a statement: “Following the man’s arrest, detectives are assessing the contents of a video.”
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman declined to comment.
Listen to the ITV News' weekly podcast about the Royal family
The Queen spent Christmas Day at Windsor Castle and was expected to have lunch with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Charles, Camilla, Edward and Sophie, the latter couple along with their children Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, attended a church service in St George’s Chapel, in the castle grounds, at 10.45am on Christmas morning.
In May, Thames Valley Police arrested a 29-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, both from London, after a report two trespassers in the grounds of the Royal Lodge at Windsor Great Park on the afternoon of April 25.
Police were also called to the Duke of York’s home after a woman, 43, reportedly talked her way into his mansion on April 19.