Tuesday, July 22, 2003

Youth Strips at Buckingham Palace Party


LONDON - A teenager at a Buckingham Palace garden party Tuesday dropped his trousers and dashed across the lawn, pursued by Beefeater guards in ceremonial red tunics.

Partygoers cheered as a Beefeater tackled the 17-year-old running a reported 300 feet ahead of Queen Elizabeth II (news - web sites). It was not clear if she saw him.

The youth was whisked away and questioned by police in the gardens. He and his parents were later escorted from the palace grounds.

"There was no breach of security or risk to the royal party or other guests," the statement said. "It is understood he was attending the garden party with members of his family who were also invited guests."

A police spokeswoman said the youth had not been naked and had removed only his jacket, trousers and shoes.

But some said he had gone a little further.

"He ran through the crowd, down the aisle then dropped his boxers," said Alec Solomon, 29. "The Beefeaters were running after him."

Becky Fisk, another of the more than 8,000 people at the party, said the youth was wearing a T-shirt and trousers and managed to pull down both his trousers and boxer shorts while running.

"He was shouting 'wahey' as he ran along," she said.

Police said the youth, who was not identified, was not drunk.

Members of the royal family at the party included the queen, her husband Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie.

A month ago, self-described "comedy terrorist" Aaron Barschak gatecrashed Prince William's 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle, prompting a security inquiry.

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