A “livid” Andrew Windsor, known to monarchists as “Prince Andrew” and “Duke of York”, tore a strip off police who mistook him for an intruder at a Windsor palace in London, according to the Sunday Express. In an official statement Windsor, who seems to have been embarrassed that he was not recognised, said the police guarding his family at great public expense “got it wrong”.
The newspaper said that the police guards pointed their guns at Windsor and told him to get on the ground two days after an intruder was arrested at the palace. Windsor was spoken to for just 30 seconds before the police realised that he was a member of the Windsor clan. According to the newspaper “For a tense half a minute the Queen’s 53-year-old son was in danger of being shot dead by officers paid to protect him and his family”.
The Metropolitan Police stated that the police did not draw their weapons or use force. It apologised to Windsor.
Londoners suspected by an armed police patrol may well find a sub-machine gun pointed in their direction and apparently be put “in danger of being shot dead by officers” paid to protect them. They are also likely to be be patted down and searched. It is unlikely that the questioning would be over in 30 seconds.
A citizen who co-operates may receive a “thanks” and even a handshake from the officer. But an apology is not to be expected. And no newspaper would think the incident merited even a brief mention.