William and Kate Face Security Scare Yet Again as Intruder Breaks Into Royal Home
A man was recently charged in connection with two alleged break-ins at Kensington Palace just days before Christmas. Luckily, Prince William and Kate Middleton were away from the property at the time. The incidents have raised fresh questions about Palace security, though authorities stressed that no members of the royal family were in immediate danger during the reported intrusion.
According to PEOPLE, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that the 39-year-old Derek Egan has been charged with trespassing on a protected site and breaching bail conditions. He claimed, “The charges relate to incidents on Sunday, December 21, and Tuesday, December 23, when Egan was arrested on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site in Palace Green, Kensington.”
The Times revealed that Egan was present at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 30. He admitted to the charges. A hearing date has been set for January 6 after the trespasser’s confirmed pleas. The judge stated that the hearing would take place in Egan’s absence. “In view of his disorderly behavior to officers of the court and the court itself, I am not granting him bail on the basis that if he is convicted, there is a real possibility he will receive a custodial sentence." Egan is not believed to have entered the Palace's main building and was detained at a public site after being spotted on security cameras.
Both William and Middleton use a wing of Kensington Palace as their royal residence. The royal couple was instead at Anmer Hall, their private country home at Sandringham Estate, for their children’s vacation during their break from school. A few days later, the family was seen attending the annual Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk.
Coming back to the break-in, it wasn’t the first time the Waleses had a security breach. In June 2025, there was another attempt at Windsor Castle. A spokesperson from the Thames Valley Police revealed at the time that the incident occurred “just after 1 p.m. on June 1,” adding that the intruder “was quickly challenged by Met police officers and arrested. He did not enter the inner grounds of Windsor Castle.” William and Middleton were living nearby at Adelaide Cottage with their three children.
In light of these incidents, it makes sense that the couple has taken so many measures at their new home, Forest Lodge, located almost three miles away from their former residence.