WINDSOR, UK – Police are searching for two masked intruders who breached security on the Windsor Castle estate and carried out a burglary while Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children were reportedly sleeping nearby in Adelaide Cottage.
The break-in occurred late Sunday, October 13, at Shaw Farm, one of the working farms on the expansive Crown Estate.
According to Thames Valley Police, the burglars scaled a six-foot fence to access the property, stole a black Isuzu pick-up truck and a red quad bike, and crashed through a security gate on their way out.
The stolen vehicle was later seen heading towards the Old Windsor/Datchet area.
“Offenders entered a farm building and made off with a black Isuzu pick-up and a red quad bike,” a police spokesperson confirmed.
“No arrests have been made at this stage, and an investigation is ongoing.”
Security Concerns on the Estate
The incident reportedly occurred as Prince William, 42, Kate Middleton, 42, and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, were believed to be at their home on the Windsor estate.
The family resides at Adelaide Cottage, located just five minutes from the scene of the burglary.
While Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace have not commented on the matter, citing security protocols, questions have been raised about the adequacy of security measures in the area.
Sources told The Sun that armed police were recently removed from the gate used by the intruders, and alarms failed to alert authorities to the break-in until the thieves rammed through the security barrier.
“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 at Shaw Farm Gate exit,” the source said.
“The barrier has needed to be replaced as it was so badly damaged.”
The theft appears to have been premeditated, with the intruders knowing where the vehicles were stored and selecting a time when security was minimal.
“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,” a source told The Sun.
“So they must have been watching Windsor Castle for a while.”
Royal Presence at Windsor
At the time of the break-in, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were not in residence at Windsor Castle. Queen Camilla, 77, was in India ahead of a tour of Australia and Samoa, while King Charles, 76, was in Scotland.
The burglary took place on a Sunday night, a school night for the young royals attending Lambrook School in nearby Ascot.
The Prince and Princess of Wales relocated to Adelaide Cottage in 2022 to be closer to Lambrook School, prioritising a simpler lifestyle for their children.
Public Reactions and Ongoing Investigation
The burglary has prompted renewed scrutiny of security measures at royal residences, particularly given the proximity of the young family to the break-in site.
Thames Valley Police continue to investigate the incident, with no arrests made as of now.
The royal family, while maintaining their silence on the specifics, will likely face public and parliamentary pressure to address the apparent gaps in security that allowed such an intrusion on the Crown Estate.
