Masked intruders breached the Windsor Castle estate last month, breaking into a farm building near the residence of Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three young children. The burglary occurred at Shaw Farm on October 13, with the thieves reportedly targeting farm machinery, including a black Isuzu pick-up truck and a red quad bike, according to a statement from Thames Valley Police.
The break-in unfolded while the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, and their children-Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6-were reportedly asleep at their nearby home, Adelaide Cottage. The property, situated on the expansive Windsor Castle estate, is a short distance from the scene of the crime. The intrusion has raised fresh concerns about security on royal grounds.
The intruders allegedly climbed over a six-foot fence before gaining access to the farm building. Upon making their escape, they used the stolen vehicle to crash through a security gate. The breach was confirmed by Thames Valley Police, who stated, "At around 11.45 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, we received a report of burglary at a property on Crown Estate land near the A308 in Windsor. Offenders entered a farm building and made off with a black Isuzu pick-up and a red quad bike. They then made off towards the Old Windsor/Datchet area." No arrests have been made, and an investigation remains ongoing.
The break-in occurred at a time when King Charles III and Queen Camilla were away, with the King in Scotland and the Queen Consort reportedly in India ahead of a tour of Australia and Samoa. Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace have declined to comment, citing security protocol.
Sources told The Sun that the perpetrators appeared to have knowledge of the farm's layout and the storage location of the vehicles. "They would have to have known the vehicles were stored there before they broke in and known when was the best time to get in and escape without being caught," one source remarked. "They must have been watching Windsor Castle for a while."
The incident has highlighted potential vulnerabilities in security at Windsor Castle. According to reports, the first indication of a break-in was when the intruders crashed through the security barrier at the Shaw Farm Gate exit. "There are alarms at Windsor Castle, but the first time anyone knew there was a break-in was when they crashed through the security barrier," the source added. The damaged barrier has since been replaced.
William, Kate, and their children have lived at Adelaide Cottage since 2022, choosing the location for its proximity to their children's school, Lambrook School, in Ascot. The break-in took place on a Sunday evening, the night before a school day, adding to the tension and concern surrounding the incident.
The burglary underscores broader concerns about the security of the Crown Estate and the safety of the royal family. "The young princes and princess would have been tucked up in bed at Adelaide Cottage, just around the corner but still in the grounds," the source noted, emphasizing the proximity of the family to the intruders.
