Palace weapons arrest comes amid coronation security push

Four days before King Charles III’s coronation, police were questioning a suspect.

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat called the coronation “one of the most important security operations that the country has put into plan.”

“This is enormously important for the country,” Tugendhat told Times Radio. “The police are, to put it mildly, all over it, and our intelligence and other security forces are extremely aware of the challenges we face and ready to deal with them—as the police did quite brilliantly yesterday.”

The Metropolitan Police apprehended a man on Tuesday evening after he asked to talk to a soldier at the royal gates. The force alleged he threw shotgun cartridges into the palace grounds after being refused.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said the man was searched and recovered a lock knife. He was detained for knife and ammo possession.
Police led a man backward from the royal gates on video.

Adelekan claimed the suspect’s bag was blown up in a controlled explosion after he advised officers to be careful.

Police stated the encounter was not terrorism-related. Nobody was shot or hurt.

Charles and Camilla, queen consort, were not at Buckingham Palace.

It occurred days before Charles’ Saturday Westminster Abbey coronation. As tourists and international media arrive for the coronation, Buckingham Palace is bustling.

London will have over 9,000 police on coronation day. “A very complex policing operation, a very complex intelligence operation,” Tugendhat said of the many foreign dignitaries and prospective demonstrators.

Police fear environmental groups and hundreds of anti-monarchist protestors may interrupt the parade.

A government letter alerting demonstrators of increased police powers to suppress disruptive demonstrations was accused of intimidating protesters.

In response to environmental group civil disobedience, the Public Order Act now allows police to search demonstrators for locks and glue and punishes roadblockers and “national infrastructure” disruptors with up to 12 months in prison.

Republic anti-monarchist Graham Smith called the letter “intimidating.” On coronation day, the group would demonstrate as planned.