The burglary, in which two intruders got into the estate over a 6-foot fence, took place on Oct. 13 while William and Kate, both 42, and their childrenPrince George, 11,Princess Charlotte, 9, andPrince Louis, 6, are believed to have been on the estate, according toThe Sun. The men were apparently targeting farm machinery and used a stolen vehicle to crash through a security gate on the way out.
According to the outlet, the incident happened at Shaw Farm, one of the working farms on the estate, and follows the reported removal of armed police officers at the gate that the intruders used.
Kensington Palace, where the Prince and Princess of Wales have their office, had no comment. Buckingham Palace also didn’t comment, as is usual where security is concerned.
Kate Middleton and Prince William with their children on their first day at Lambrook School, near Ascot, in Sept. 2022.Jonathan Brady - Pool/Getty
Jonathan Brady - Pool/Getty
A spokesperson for the local Thames Valley Police, which is in charge of security in the area, confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE: “At around 11.45pm on Sunday October 13, we received a report of burglary at a property on Crown Estate land near to 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 at this stage and an investigation is ongoing," the statement concluded.
William, Kate and their children live at Adelaide Cottage which is five minutes away on the vast estate that surrounds Windsor Castle. On the date of the burglary, it was a Sunday night before a school day for the young royals.
Prince William and Kate Middleton with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at Windsor Castle in April 2023.Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty
Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty
King CharlesandQueen Camillawere not in residence at the castle at the time as Camilla, 77, was in India ahead of her tour of Australia and Samoa, while Charles, 76, was in Scotland.
“They would have to have known the vehicles were stored there before they broke in and known when was the best time to get and escape without being caught,” a source toldThe Sun. “So they must have been watching Windsor Castle for a while."
Windsor Castle in June 2024.Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty
Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty
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“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 continued, “The barrier has needed to be replaced as it was so badly damaged.”
source: people.com