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Comic gatecrashed William's 21st
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Britain's Home Secretary David Blunkett has ordered an immediate inquiry after a comedian managed to gatecrash Prince William's 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle. The whole of Britain's royal family was present at the time and Scotland Yard said they regarded the breach of royal protection as "serious." The man was detained by police at around 11:30 p.m. (2230 GMT) Saturday while more than 300 guests joined William and the rest of the royal family for an "Out of Africa"-theme fancy dress party. Scotland Yard said the 36-year-old man was not armed when he was arrested and was now in custody at a Thames Valley police station. Police declined to name the man, but his father identified him as stand-up comedian Aaron Barschak. Fred Barschak told reporters he recognized his son as the man being led away by police following the incident. He said his son would not have intended to harm anyone, and was probably trying to publicize his act. The comedian regularly dresses up as Osama bin Laden and calls himself the "comedy terrorist." He was seen outside Windsor Castle before the party dressed in a pink dress, turban, sunglasses and false beard. The News of the World tabloid reported Sunday that the man stumbled on to the stage where Prince William was making a speech to thank his father Prince Charles and grandmother Queen Elizabeth II for organizing the party. He was said to have grabbed the microphone before security guards and police pulled him away and took him out of the Great Hall.
As he was led away he shouted: "You can see me next Monday," the newspaper reported. Guests were initially thought to have believed the man was part of the entertainment until he started shouting. William was said to have attempted to lighten the mood by later reclaiming the microphone and joking: "I didn't know my brother could do an accent like that." A police spokeswoman told CNN: "Nobody was injured during the incident. "We consider any breach of security to be a serious matter and a thorough review into all the circumstances surrounding the incident is under way. "It would be inappropriate for us to discuss this matter any further at this time." A Home Office spokeswoman told CNN that the Home Secretary had ordered an immediate report into the incident to be led by police and royal security advisors. A further, more in-depth inquiry may be ordered depending on the outcome of the initial review of events. The spokeswoman said: "The Home Secretary has asked for an immediate report into what happened. Depending on the outcome he may ask for a further inquiry."
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