A man identified as Derek Egan, 39, has been charged with trespassing following two separate incidents at Kensington Palace, the official London residence of Prince William and Princess Catherine. Both incidents, occurring on December 21 and December 23, involved Egan being found within the palace grounds, reportedly carrying a heavy rucksack, according to reports from the Express.
Metropolitan Police officers from the Royal and Specialist Protection Command intercepted Egan on the palace grounds on both occasions. Following these events, he was formally charged with two counts of trespassing. Currently, Egan remains in custody as per reports from the Sun.
Kensington Palace houses ten members of the Royal Family and their staff, with Apartment 1A serving as the London home base for the Wales family. However, it is believed that the family was not present during the incidents, instead residing at Anmer Hall, their country property on the Sandringham Estate.
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During his initial court appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on December 30, Egan reportedly displayed disorderly behavior, including shouting abuse from the dock. He was scheduled for another hearing at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Christmas Eve but refused to leave the prison van, resulting in his continued detention.
Egan has expressed a willingness to plead guilty, but due to national security concerns related to the protection of the Royal Family, a formal plea has been delayed pending approval from the Attorney General. District Judge Sam Goozee explained that the case involves sensitive security issues, stating: “I am proceeding with the hearing in his absence due to his disruptive conduct. Bail is denied given the likelihood of a custodial sentence if convicted.”
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that prosecution requires consent from the Attorney General specifically because of the national security implications tied to the Royal Family’s safety. This additional review ensures that any potential risks are thoroughly assessed before proceeding further.