Extinction Rebellion eco-zealots plotting to take over Windsor Castle grounds with army of protesters
The activist group is planning three days of action at the royal residence (file photo)
Getty/PA
Eco-activists from protest group Extinction Rebellion (XR) are planning a takeover of Windsor Castle and its grounds in just weeks, new security documents have revealed.
XR demonstrators are set to descend on the royal residence from August 30 to September 1, with the group choosing the castle as it represents a so-called "broken and unjust system" in the UK.
As well as restricted areas of the near-thousand-year-old castle, the eco-zealots have circled Windsor Great Park, the park's Long Walk and hotels, restaurants and roads throughout the town as protest targets.
More demonstrators are plotting to stage a diversion on the Long Walk by assembling an army of fancy-dress-clad marchers to file through the park - drawing attention away from other groups of infiltrators who plan to stage a "mass trespass" inside the off-limits parts of the castle.
Eco-activists are targeting a number of areas in Windsor - including the castle itself
Protesters from the group are planning to descend on the historic town (file photo)
PAThe scheme was revealed by a set of private investigators, acting on behalf of a local business, who gained access to online XR discussion forums.
But parts of the plot are already public - and have even received official sign-off.
XR was handed permission for a demonstration inside Windsor Great Park some months ago - with the group looking to King Charles's track record of environmentalism as justification for their activism.
The group noted how Charles "clearly understands the plight of the planet and the urgent need for society to change course" - and so have publicly stated that their protest will target "the system", not one person.
MORE AS PROTESTERS TAKE ON THE ROYALS:
XR noted how Charles "clearly understands the plight of the planet"
GettyXR also revealed it "initiated correspondence with King Charles on 13 June, informing the sitting monarch of our plans and requesting he do all he can to help facilitate our peaceful protest".
And the group's Catherine Bartlett said: "Windsor Castle has been chosen as an embodiment of a broken and unjust system where our message will resonate powerfully".
But in security documents surrounding the protest unearthed by the Telegraph, the group are plotting to make the demo as inclusive as possible to attract elderly protesters - in the hope that any attempt by authorities to remove them would reflect badly on the police.
The security report read: "Activists will be meeting at the Long Walk to carry out that mass trespass into Windsor Castle grounds at 6pm.
Activists will "attempt to mass trespass into restricted areas of Windsor Castle grounds", the briefing warned
PA"Activists have been asked to dress in business suits or as oil barons; there will be the XR red and black brigade doing their pageantry on the Long Walk itself.
"However, this will be a choreographed distraction to allow other activists to attempt to mass trespass into restricted areas of Windsor Castle grounds.
"Should this be prevented or dispersed, online chatter suggested targeting local businesses that serve high net worth individuals as secondary targets.
"Several high-end hotels were mentioned as part of this list. So those in the local area should be vigilant Friday early evening."
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