Security chiefs at Prince Charles' Highgrove estate have been left red-faced after a group of building workers managed to enter the grounds as part of a drunken prank.
The five labourers went on an escapade through the royal property and stole a plastic owl which was used a bird scarer. One of the men even decided to de-robe and danced around a gazebo in his birthday suit.
Two of the intruders were later arrested, and one of them revealed: "There were no guards, we saw absolutely no-one." Andrew Morgan, who was later cautioned by police, also said the prank was an act of "sheer stupidity".
"The police told us we were lucky we didn't get shot while we were roaming around," said the 30-year-old. He and his friends had been out for a few drinks, he confessed, when "one thing led to another".
"We were driving home when we passed the entrance to a large estate. Someone mentioned it was Prince Charles's place and someone else suggested we take a look. We were still in our work clothes but we drove up a track. We parked on the verge, walked about 150 metres and climbed over a four-bar metal fence into the estate.
"We decided to take some photos as a bit of a laugh so I could show my mum, because she loves the royals. We took it in turns for everyone to pose for pictures sitting outside the gazebo… thinking about it now we were very silly."
Andrew and his friends then left Highgrove and went for a drink in nearby Tetbury, where they were arrested. Officers found the owl in the back of one of their cars.
Local police have confirmed the incident, though they say Highgrove security was not breached. A spokesman for St James's Palce has also insisted that the gang never entered the protected boundary of the estate. "The group were a long way for the main security area of the house," he said.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
