The United Kingdom Police arrested an armed young man on Saturday who entered the grounds of Windsor Castle, where Queen Elizabeth II celebrates Christmas.
Thames Valley region police said the incident, considered a security breach, occurred at 8:30 am on Christmas Day.
The person arrested is
a 19-year
-
old young man
from the city of Southampton.
Police guard Henry VIII's gate at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. Alastair Grant / AP
"The man has been arrested on suspicion of trespassing and possession of an offensive weapon. He remains in custody at this time," said Rebecca Mears, superintendent of Thames Valley Police.
"We can confirm that the security processes were activated a few moments after the man entered the premises, and that he
did not enter any building,
" he added.
[Pope Francis prays for an end to the pandemic and violence against children and women due to confinements]
Members of the royal family were informed of what happened.
Queen Elizabeth II
decided to spend the Christmas holidays at the castle this year
for safety against COVID-19 instead of staying in Sandringham, the property owned by the royal family in England and where they traditionally spend the Christmas celebration.
The first Christmas without Prince Philip
In her Christmas message from the castle, the queen on Saturday shared the grief she felt after her husband's death as she encouraged people around the world to celebrate with friends and family.
Queen Elizabeth already celebrates Christmas with a huge tree in Windsor
Nov. 25, 202101: 22
"Although it is a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be difficult for those who have lost loved ones," said Elizabeth, who delivered her speech alongside a framed photograph of her arm with Prince Philip, who He died in April at the age of 99.
Despite her own loss, the queen said her family was a “source of great happiness, noting that she had welcomed four great-grandchildren this year.
“Although due to COVID-19 again we cannot celebrate as we would have liked, we can still enjoy the many traditions that give us happiness, whether it is the singing of Christmas carols, as long as the melody is well known, decorating the tree, giving and receiving. gifts or see a favorite movie where we already know the end, "he said.
[Prince Andrew asks to dismiss the lawsuit against him for sexual assault]
The queen delivers her Christmas message along with a photograph with Prince Philip in 2007 in Broadlands as they commemorated their Diamond wedding anniversary.Victoria Jones / AP
The palace announced on Monday that the queen would spend the holidays at Windsor Castle, west of London, where she has remained for most of the pandemic.
With her are some members of her family, including Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall.
[Various ceremonies in the UK evoke the life and career of the late Prince Philip]
The annual Christmas message to the people of the United Kingdom and the
Commonwealth
marks the end of a busy and sometimes difficult year for the Queen.
Philip died in April, just two months short of his 100th birthday, after spending weeks in the hospital.