Masked knifeman carrying handcuffs, tape and a ‘dummy gun’ is arrested outside Swedish Royal Family’s residence where Crown Princess Victoria lives

A man carrying a knife, handcuffs, tape, protective mask and ‘dummy gun’ has been arrested outside the residence of Sweden’s Royal Family.

Crown Princess Victoria, 47, her husband, Prince Daniel, and their two children, Princess Estelle, 12, and Prince Oscar, eight, are based in Haga Palace, located in the Haga Park, Solna Municipality, in Stockholm.

It was reported that royal guards spotted the man behaving ‘strangely’ near the gates last night in Sweden.

‘It is a man who has been in the area and behaved strangely and who was then checked. A knife was found,’ confirmed Per Fahlström, a spokesperson for Stockholm Police.

Officers discovered handcuffs, tape, a protective mask and a ‘dummy gun’ on him, media outlet Aftonbladet reported.

The Swedish outlet also claimed the man had a list containing the names of high-ranking officials from a prominent company. 

The man, who remains in custody as authorities investigate his motives, is suspected of violating the Knife Act and preparation for serious assault. 

The alarm was raised at 5pm and officers were deployed to the scene, just metres away from where the princess, who is heir to Sweden’s throne, lives.  

Margareta Thorgren, head of information for the Royal Court, told Aftonbladet: ‘Last night at 5pm, a man was outside the gates at Haga Castle and behaved differently. 

‘The guards, who are always on site, saw fit to call the police. ‘The police arrived and arrested the man, and thus it is a police matter.’ 

Investigations are ongoing and police have not disclosed further details about the suspect.

It is expected that the Royal Family has been warned about the incident, but they have not released a statement yet. 

Haga Castle, which is situated in a public park, has been the home of Crown Princess Victoria, her husband Prince Daniel, and their two children since 2010. 

Princess Victoria is the eldest child of King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia, and is the heir apparent to the Swedish throne.

She married Prince Daniel ,when he was still her personal trainer, in June 2010. They have two children, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar. 

Earlier this year, it was announced that Princess Victoria would be completing more military training.

Crown Princess Victoria , 47, her husband, Prince Daniel, and their two children, Princess Estelle , 12, and Prince Oscar, eight, are based in Haga Palace, located in the Haga Park, Solna Municipality, in Stockholm were the incident happened

Haga Castle, which is situated in a public park, has been the home of Crown Princess Victoria, her husband Prince Daniel, and their two children since 2010

Haga Palace, formerly known as the Queen’s Pavilion, is located in the Haga Park

Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar of Sweden pose for a family photo

The training is part of preparations for her future role as head of state, the Royal Court said in a statement in April.

‘The Crown Princess will during autumn 2024 begin special officer training to acquire a deeper understanding of tactics, military science and military strategy,’ it said.

The course involves both theoretical and practical learning. Sweden joined NATO in March, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced it to rethink its national security policy.

It comes after Victoria donned sophisticated military attire as she celebrated the 100th anniversary of a women’s voluntary organisation last month. 

She was in high spirits as she arrived at Skogshem & Wijk in Lidingö for the celebration, which marks a century of the nation’s Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation.

She looked smart as ever in a beret featuring a gold medal and a dark blue suit jacket and skirt, which is understood to be associated with the group being commemorated.

Her hair was swept back into a sleek up-do, while she kept her make-up simple and clean.

Victoria completed her ensemble with a simple white blouse, and carried a bouquet of white, yellow and blue flowers.

Princess Victoria wore sophisticated military attire as she celebrated the 100th anniversary of a women’s voluntary organisation 

The heir to the Swedish throne, 47, was in high spirits as she arrived at Skogshem & Wijk in Lidingö for the celebration, which marks a century of the Swedish Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation

Photos at the event saw the royal warmly greeting other attendees, before also making a speech.

The Swedish Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation is ‘Sweden’s largest defence organisation open only to women’, known as the Svenska Lottakåren (SLK).

The organisation, which says it is non-political and all based on voluntary contribution, was created in 1924.

It is an ‘independent auxiliary defense organisation’ which also works with other civil authorities.

Local corps, known as lottakår, represent the SLK across the country, with the headquarters stationed in Stockholm.

According to its website, member of the SLK, which is said to be made up by some 5,000 women around Sweden, are ‘responsible for a great number of tasks in the national defence’, including the Home Guard, Navy and Air Force.