The man known for breaking into the Queen’s bedroom in Buckingham Palace while she slept has shared how he paid tribute to the late monarch.
Michael Fagan, who entered Queen Elizabeth II's bedroom in 1982, said he went to church and lit a candle when he heard the news about her death.
Speaking outside his flat in Islington, north London, he shared how he has coped with the death of the Queen.
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“I am quite sad that she has gone. I don’t want to say anything more- just that I hope she rests in peace,” he shared.
“I have no plans to go to the funeral but I have been to church to light a candle for her and hopefully it is all behind me. It has all been said so many times.
Fagan also shared his opinions on King Charles III, who acceded to the throne upon his mother’s death on 8 September.
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“I think Charles will do a good job and look after the planet. He will be very good at that.
“There is also too much division between the rich and poor in society and I think Charles will help heal that.”
Now 74, Fagan climbed a drainpipe and broke into the royal palace twice in the same year, which became the biggest security breach of the 20th century.
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Fagan claims he first broke in through an unlocked window in June 1982 and wandered around for around half an hour.
The following month, at around 7am on 9 July, he climbed the palace’s 14 foot high wall which was topped with spikes and barbed wire and a drainpipe before making his way into the Queen’s bedroom where she was asleep.
After finding the stranger in her room, the Queen fled and alerted security. Fagan was eventually tackled to the floor by the monarch’s duty footman and arrested.
The palace became a protected site under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 in 2007, which meant Fagan was never charged with trespass because it was classed as a civil offence.
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He was sent to a psychiatric hospital for three months following a psychiatric evaluation before being released in January 1983.
Following her death last week, the Queen’s funeral will take place on 19 September at Westminster Abbey, with the service beginning at 11am.
Her Majesty will be laid to rest in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle. Prince Philip will be moved from the Royal Vault so he can be laid to rest with his wife.
Topics: News, Royal Family, The Queen