Man Arrested Ahead Of King Charles' Coronation For Threatening Behavior

A man was arrested on May 2, 2023 — just ahead of the May 6 Coronation of King Charles III — for suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. He is accused of approaching Buckingham Palace gates and throwing what are believed to be shotgun shells onto the property. According to The Guardian, Metropolitan police also said the man was also carrying a "suspicious bag."

After the man was taken into custody, specialists conducted a controlled explosion as a precaution. According to YourDictionary, a controlled explosion is the "explosion of a small explosive charge either to destroy a suspect package or unexploded ordinance, or to gain access to a locked enclosure that may be booby-trapped."

Chief Superintendent Joseph McDonald said of the incident: "Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into police custody. There have been no reports of any shots fired or any injuries to officers or members of the public. Officers remain at the scene and further enquiries are ongoing."

CBS News reports that police and security are in the midst of preparing for Saturday's coronation.