A man caught with a knife outside Buckingham Palace told police he was there to see his mum – the Queen.
Jahiem Meade told officers he had the 20cm hunting knife for protection and was there to see his mum ‘who owns the place and wears a crown’, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
It happened on Wednesday, less than 48 hours after the UK terror threat was raised to critical following the Manchester Arena suicide bombing.
The 22-year-old was noticed by police as he was wearing two hoodies on the hottest day of the year so far.
Malackay Packenham, prosecuting, said: ‘An officer went to speak to the defendant and when asked for his details the defendant tried to run off, officers tackled him to the ground and they found what they describe as a 20cm long hunting knife tucked in his waistband.’
The Queen and Prince Philip had passed by in a car just 30 seconds before the dramatic incident.
Meade was taken to Charing Cross Police Station where he was interviewed by police.
Packenham said: ‘When asked if he had mental health problems he said “plenty”. When asked who he was going to meet outside Buckingham Palace he said “my mother”.
‘Asked who his mother was he replied “she owns the place, she wears a crown”, this being a reference to his mother being her Majesty the Queen.
‘Given these answers to the questions you can see a flavour of the issues.’
District Judge Nina Tempia warned Meade he could face jail.
Meade, from Hackney in east London, was charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.