An intruder with a ‘heavy rucksack’ is alleged to have twice climbed into the grounds of Kensington Palace in the days leading up to Christmas<\/a>.<\/p>\n Derek Egan, 39, allegedly scaled a fence and got into the gardens, where he was arrested on both occasions, before being charged with two counts of trespassing.<\/p>\n Egan was arrested then released on police bail after his first alleged intrusion on December 21, only to be arrested again on December 23.<\/p>\n He is now being held in custody and royal aides have been informed of the security breaches, according to The Sun<\/a>.<\/p>\n An intruder was reportedly intercepted by officers from the Met Police<\/a>\u00a0Royal and Specialist Protection Command, who were scrambled to search the palace gardens.<\/p>\n Kensington Palace is the official residence of ten Royal Family<\/a> members including Prince William<\/a> and Princess Catherine, although the couple’s main family home has been\u00a0Adelaide<\/a> Cottage, in Windsor, since 2022.<\/p>\n It’s understood they were not at the palace at the time of either intrusion, but were staying\u00a0at Anmer Hall, their private country home on the Sandringham estate.<\/p>\n Egan was due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Christmas Eve and was remanded in custody that day – although unconfirmed reports suggest he refused to leave his prison van.<\/p>\n An intruder climbed a fence into the gardens of Kensington Palace twice in the days leading up to Christmas<\/p>\n<\/div>\n They were arrested into the gardens on both occasions, and not believed to have gained entry to any buildings<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Kensington Palace is the official resident of the Prince and Princess of Wales, though it’s understood they were not on the grounds at the times of the intrusions<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Met confirmed he subsequently appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where he was again remanded in custody to appear at the same court on January 6.<\/p>\n Egan’s plea will be confirmed during that hearing on Tuesday.<\/p>\n While in the dock, Egan reportedly burst out with abuse and hammered on the glass.<\/p>\n District Judge Sam Goozee said: ‘I am going to proceed in a hearing in his absence on January 6 in view of his disorderly behaviour to officers of the court and the court itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘I am not granting him bail.<\/p>\n ‘The Attorney General needs to consider any further security risks before granting consent to prosecute.’<\/p>\n The Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘The charges need the Attorney General’s consent because of national security concerns, but in this case security concerns against the Royal Family.<\/p>\n ‘The Attorney General needs to consider any further security risks before granting consent to prosecute.’<\/p>\n A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘On Tuesday, 23 December, Derek Egan, 39 (23.05.86) of Clayfield Way, Hillingdon was charged with trespassing on a protected site and breaching bail conditions.<\/p>\n ‘He was remanded in custody and appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 24 December.<\/p>\n ‘The charges relate to incidents on Sunday, 21 December and Tuesday, 23 December when Egan was arrested on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site in Palace Green, Kensington.’<\/p>\n Kensington Palace is also the official residence of\u00a0the late Queen’s cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, 81, and his wife Birgitte van Deurs, 79, who live in its Old Stables<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is also home to Princess Eugenie, 35, daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, her husband Jack Brooksbank, 39, and their two sons, who have Nottingham Cottage in the grounds<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"They](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2025\/12\/31\/22\/105144163-15425767-image-a-2_1767219087274.jpg\")
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