Car Collides with Buckingham Palace Gates in Overnight Incident, London Police Investigate

In a startling event over the weekend, a vehicle was driven into the gates of Buckingham Palace, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police on Sunday.

The incident, which took place in the early hours of Saturday around 2:30 a.m. local time, involved an unidentified male driver who crashed his car into the iconic gates of the royal estate situated in the heart of London. Following the collision, the individual was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Authorities have since charged the driver under suspicion of criminal damage, although his identity has yet to be disclosed to the public. “Our officers are conducting thorough investigations to determine the full context of this incident,” a representative from the Metropolitan Police remarked, indicating an ongoing inquiry.

The BBC has clarified that the incident is not being considered as related to terrorism. Furthermore, Buckingham Palace, through a statement to Reuters, assured that no members of the royal family were present in the palace at the time of the mishap.

Visuals captured on Sunday revealed the damaged gate secured with wooden planks, highlighting the aftermath of the collision.

Buckingham Palace, a historic landmark and the principal residence of British monarchs since 1837, functions today as the administrative epicenter for the reigning monarch. The palace has been witness to various security breaches over the years, including an incident just days prior to King Charles III’s coronation last year. In that event, a man was apprehended outside the palace grounds for hurling objects, suspected to be shotgun cartridges, over the fence, as per reports from the Metropolitan Police.

The recent event adds to the complex history of security challenges at one of Britain’s most significant landmarks, prompting a reassessment of protective measures around royal estates.