The Royal Family Has Seen an 11% Rise in Stalkers Over the Past 3 Years With Nearly 500 Targets Identified
"The difficult task is identifying those with the means and determination to act."


The Royal Family's security team is facing an increasing challenge as the number of potential stalkers continues to rise. In the past three years, nearly 500 individuals have been flagged as threats, with 35 of them deemed to pose the highest risk, per the Mirror. This is an 11 percent increase from the previous period when 24 people fell into the most serious category, per figures from the Metropolitan Police's Fixated Threat Assessment Centre.
The police's Royalty and Specialist Protection Team works tirelessly to safeguard the Royal Family, but former Met royal protection chief Dai Davies warned that the danger is ever-present. "Unfortunately, there will always be deranged individuals who want to harm the Royal Family," he told the Mirror. "The difficult task is identifying those with the means and determination to act."
Some of these stalkers are so fixated on their targets that they even write to them, providing their real names and addresses, Davies continued. "There are probably 50 to 100 people they are currently monitoring who they feel could pose a significant risk," he said. "Quite often these people will be mentally unwell and some will be quite unsophisticated."
Police officers are seen outside Windsor Castle.
While police have a good idea of individuals who are currently targeting the royals, Davies cautioned that "there may be many more lurking in the shadows," adding it's "impossible for the police to be 100 percent confident" that they have a full picture of those with malicious intent.
Several high-profile security breaches highlight the serious threats the Royal Family has averted over the years. Princess Anne survived a dramatic kidnapping attempt in 1974, and in 1982, a man broke into Queen Elizabeth's bedroom while she slept. More recently, a crossbow-wielding man broke into the Windsor Castle grounds on Christmas Day in 2021 and announced he was going to kill Queen Elizabeth, and in 2022, an intruder dressed like a priest spent the night on castle property.
Prince Andrew's home, Royal Lodge, was also the site of an alarming security incident when a woman wandered in (aided by unaware security guards) after claiming to have a lunch date with him.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been the target of numerous threats over the years, with an alleged stalker arrested outside their home in 2023. And in November, masked intruders stole vehicles from a farm on the Windsor Castle grounds close to Prince William and Princess Kate's home, proving that security remains an ongoing concern for the family.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.
-
I Injected My Body's "Liquid Gold" to Address Undereye Fine Lines and Dark Circles
But would I do it again?
By Michelle Rostamian
-
Queen Elizabeth Gave the Perfect Response When Pope Francis Presented Her With Priceless Gifts for Prince George
The late pope spared no expense when it came to treating the infant prince in 2014.
By Kristin Contino
-
Want Healthier-Looking Hair? This Unexpected Beauty Product Might Be the Answer
Skip the shampoos, glosses, and treatments.
By Marie Claire Editors
-
Queen Elizabeth Gave the Perfect Response When Pope Francis Presented Her With Priceless Gifts for Prince George
The late pope spared no expense when it came to treating the infant prince in 2014.
By Kristin Contino
-
Queen Elizabeth's Two-Ingredient Lunch Supposedly Helped Her Stay Healthy and Look Younger
The late monarch was "not a foodie," but kept her meals simple and fresh.
By Kristin Contino
-
How Princess Kate and Prince William are Following in The King and Queen's Footsteps With Surprise Anniversary Celebration
The Prince and Princess of Wales will mark their 14th anniversary on April 29.
By Kristin Contino
-
Meghan Markle's Boxed Hair Dye Disaster During the Pandemic Left Her Looking "Elvira-Esque"
"I thought, ‘I'm gonna look just like she does on the box.'"
By Kristin Contino
-
Meghan Markle's White Easter Shirt Dress Is the Ultimate Spring Staple
The Duchess of Sussex wore a breezy button-down style to celebrate the holiday.
By Kristin Contino
-
The Witty Way Queen Elizabeth Responded When a Royal Family Member Said Corgis "Should Be Shot"
Criticizing the monarch's beloved pups was a big mistake.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Secretly Spent Easter With Princess Kate's Parents
The little royals were spotted in Sandringham, and hot cross buns were allegedly involved.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Prince William Has "No Time For" Uncle Prince Andrew, Per Royal Source
The Prince of Wales is said to be "one of the driving forces " behind keeping Andrew out of royal life.
By Kristin Contino