Security alert after intruder says she’s Andrew’s fiancee

AN INTRUDER claiming to be Prince Andrew’s fiancee was allowed into his home by bungling security staff.

The “smartly dressed” woman wandered around the grounds of the Royal Lodge at Windsor for 20 minutes.

The Spanish woman tricked her way through the gate by claiming she had a luncheon date with the Duke of York.

Staff were so taken in they even paid her taxi driver, it was claimed yesterday.

After walking around the gardens, the visitor strolled into the main building and asked a member of staff where she could find the Prince.

Police were called and she told them her name was “Irene Windsor”, it was reported yesterday.

She claimed she was engaged to Andrew and lived at the Royal Lodge with him.

Maps of the Prince’s home and other Royal residences were found in the woman’s handbag, it was claimed.

The intruder was also allegedly carrying a cat-shaped selfdefence key ring with two sharp prongs.

But there is no suggestion she ever threatened anyone or was aggressive during the incident on

Monday. Officials have now launched a Royal security review.

Thames Valley Police said a 43-year-old woman was initially arrested for trespassing and later sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

A spokesman said: “Thames Valley Police were called to the Royal Lodge at Windsor Great Park on Monday morning to reports of a female trespasser.

Unaware

“The woman, aged 43, was intercepted and arrested. She was subsequently de-arrested and has been sectioned under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

“The investigation into the incident continues, but there was no risk to any individual on the site.

“Due to the sectioned, we female being will not be

Shock... intruder tricked her way into the Royal Lodge at Windsor, left, the home of Prince Andrew, right, for 17 years

commenting further at this time.” It is understood the Duke was at home at the time but was unaware of the incident.

The woman is thought to have arrived in Britain on Saturday, the day of Prince Philip’s funeral.

Sources described the mystery female as “quite a glamorous and elegant figure”.

Police and senior Royal officials are reviewing security and procedures for allowing access to visitors in the light of the incident.

As a son of the Queen, the Duke has a Metropolitan Police personal protection officer.

But his security was scaled back after he withdrew from Royal duties following a barrage of negative stories over his links to the late billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has lived at the Royal Lodge since 2004. Ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, also lives there.