- Drone flights were banned in central London on May 6 due to security measures
An amateur drone pilot caused panic at the coronation after entering a no-fly zone over Buckingham Palace on the day of the ceremony, it has been revealed.
Police chiefs at the time were concerned that the action could have been a Russian attempt to sabotage the big day.
Drone flights were even banned in central London on May 6 as part of a series of security measures put in place to protect the coronation ceremonies.
On the morning of the ceremony, radar operators spotted a drone buzzing over Buckingham Palace, Westminster and Kensington. The times reported.
The incident subsequently raised a high-level alert as commanders scrambled to quickly determine where exactly the aircraft came from and what its purpose was.
An amateur drone pilot caused panic at the coronation after entering a no-fly zone over Buckingham Palace on the day of the ceremony.
King Charles and Camilla leave Buckingham Palace by carriage for Westminster Abbey
Drone flights were banned in central London on May 6 as part of a series of security measures taken to protect the coronation ceremonies
One of the main concerns was that the drone appeared to come from the “vague direction of the Russian Embassy” in Kensington Palace Gardens, the publication said.
On May 4, just two days before the king's grand ceremony, Moscow had claimed that two Ukrainian kamikaze drones had exploded over Putin's Kremlin residence in the early hours in “a planned terrorist act and assassination attempt.”
One source told the newspaper that police at one point discussed shooting down the drone, but the device ultimately left the security zone.
A police investigation eventually led to the arrest of 36-year-old Waleed Maray, the drone operator.
The US national pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 20 November 2023 to six breaches of the Air Navigation Order 2016. He was fined £4,750.
Commander Karen Findlay, who led the police operation during the coronation, said: 'Maray's actions were extremely irresponsible and dangerous.
'Not only did he ignore the ban on the use of drones during the King's coronation and cause a significant security alert during one of the biggest events London has ever hosted, but he gave no thought to what would have happened if the drone at one of the crowds of people who had gathered in London to celebrate.'
Police chiefs at the time were concerned that the action could have been a Russian attempt to sabotage the big day (photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin)
Members of the Royal Family during the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023 in London
She continued: 'We take the use of drones in restricted airspace extremely seriously – especially during major events in the capital, where they pose a risk to the public and can cause concern and massive disruption.'
Rules for flying drones are set by the airline regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and are based on the risk of where flights take place, proximity to other people and the size and weight of drones.
However, this only applies to drones flying outdoors; flights within buildings or in areas where the aircraft cannot escape are not covered by this legislation.
Operators of drones with cameras or devices weighing more than 250 grams must register their devices with the CAA and renew this registration every year.
Commander Findlay added: 'I hope this case deters anyone considering flying drones in these circumstances in the future and shows that police will pursue those responsible and seek to bring charges against them.'
Air traffic controllers had issued a special notice just days before the coronation, banning drone flights below 2,500 feet in a 2.5 mile radius of central London.
Police also warned drone operators that they had “the ability to detect unlawful drone use, locate pilots and seize equipment, and anyone caught flying a drone could be fined or prosecuted become.'