Knifeman arrested trying to enter Buckingham Palace

The 44-year-old was held at around 11.30am when he attempted to get through the north centre gate and was stopped by police.

Officers searched him and he was found to have a knife.

He was arrested on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon and is in custody.

Buckingham Palace said that the Queen was not in the building when the man tried to get in, but would make no further comment.

Last month another security alert was sparked at the palace when a suspected burglar managed to get into the building after scaling a fence.

He was found at around 10.30pm on September 2 in a room that had been open to the public during the day. A second man was arrested outside the palace on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Less than 48 hours later, amid heightened security, two police officers confronted the Duke of York in the palace gardens demanding to know who he was.

Scotland Yard later issued a public apology to the royal, and in response he issued a statement to say protection officers have “a difficult job” and he was grateful that the force had apologised.