Prince who? Andrew stopped by police in Buckingham Palace

Armed police challenged Prince Andrew and asked him to identify himself inside Buckingham Palace.

Two armed officers shouted at the prince to get on the ground, as he was walking in the gardens of the Palace. Prince Andrew had gone for a stroll in the grounds after a business event in London Piccadilly.

The challenge to the prince, Prince Charles’s brother, came two days after the biggest breach of Palace security in 30 years – when a man broke into Buckingham Palace on Monday night after scaling a 12 ft wall and breaking down a door.

I am grateful for their apology and look forward to a safe walk in the garden in the future – Prince Andrew

Commenting on the incident, the Duke of York said: “The police have a difficult job to do balancing security for the Royal Family and deterring intruders, and sometimes they get it wrong.

“I am grateful for their apology and look forward to a safe walk in the garden in the future.”

The Met Police acknowledged what had happened at around 6pm on Wedensday, after permission was granted by the prince.

A spokesman said: “The man was identified. No weapons were drawn or force was used.”

He added: “We are grateful to The Duke for his understanding and have apologised for any inconvenience caused.”

The Met Police confirmed that the 37-year-old man who was held for breaking into the palace was in the care of mental health professionals after being released on bail.