$63M PLOT TO KIDNAP GEORGE

The intrusion of a royal fan already had George’sg school on high alert. Duchess Kate is terrified for the safety of her young son as a plan to hold him for ransom is foiled

The royal family have boosted their security detail after a horrifying plot to kidnap Prince George was revealed, sending shockwaves through the palace.

The plot would have seen the young prince held for a ransom of $63 million – and although police have shut it down, the threat has rocked the entire family.

It’s understood the frightening plot involved George being snatched either at school or on the 5km trip between his Kensington Palace home and Thomas’s Battersea school.

“This is as real as it gets,” a palace insider reveals. “It could have been the biggest disaster in the history of the monarchy. For Prince William and his wife Kate, it must be a living hell.”

Alarmingly, the plot came to light after the recent arrest of Louise Chantry – a woman with mental health issues described as a royal “superfan” – who attempted to enter George’s school twice. The news of her arrest prompted an anonymous tip-off about a new abduction plot involving the four-year-old heir to the throne.

“According to the information, which is being kept from the public, a small terrorist cell spent weeks hatching a plan to snatch George,” the insider says.

As part of the alleged plot, a man had gained access to the

schoolh l whilehil renovationti work k was being done during the recent summer holidays, using stolen floor plans to determine where George’s classroom would be.

It’s understood police are continuing to investigate the plot – calling in three men for interrogation after swooping on a house on the outskirts of London. But Bt even th thoughh th the i immediatedi t threat has been removed, the incident has understandably left the royal family rattled.

In response, palace officials have moved to beef up all the royals’ security teams.

Last week, as he attended the Invictus Games in Toronto, Prince Harry was shadowed by a much larger than usual team of bodyguards, who closely followed his and girlfriend Meghan Markle’s every move.

Kate is said to be beside herself with fear over the possibility something sinister could have happened to her young son.

“Frankly, she is terrified,” the insider says. “Kate was hysterical when she found out George had been targeted.”

The incident has caused some tension between William and Kate, 35, who have differing views on how to protect their family. Kate wants maximum security but Wills, 35, who grew up yearning to be treated like his friends, is reluctant.

“This is a wake-up call,” a former royal protection officer says. “I know William wants to keep the protection low-key for the sake of George and his schoolmates, but you can be sure those guarding the prince are close enough to respond in seconds.

“The goal for everyone is to make sure no member of the royal family is at risk.”