Dad of Windsor 'crossbow intruder' says something is 'horribly wrong' with him
The father of a man accused of breaking into Windsor Castle with a crossbow has said something has "gone horribly wrong with our son".

A 19-year-old man was detained under the Mental Health Act after security officers reportedly spotted him scaling the perimeter fence and called armed police to the scene after 8.30am on Christmas Day.

Chilling video footage later emerged showing a man holding a black crossbow and using a distorted voice as he made threats to "assassinate the Queen".

The pre-recorded message was reportedly sent out on Snapchat on Christmas Day - 24 minutes before a man was arrested by police inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Today the young man's father said he hadn't yet spoken to his son, but was trying hard to make sure he got the help he needed.

He told the Daily Mail: "Something's gone horribly wrong with our son and we are trying to figure out what.

"We've not had a chance to speak to him but are trying to get him the help he needs.

"From our perspective, we are going through a difficult time, we are trying to resolve this issue and it's not easy."

In the video, the man said he was seeking revenge and would try to kill the Queen.

He said: "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I've done and what I will do. I will attempt to assassinate Elizabeth, Queen of the Royal Family. This is revenge for those who have died in the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

"It is also revenge for those who have been killed, humiliated and discriminated on because of their race."

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman told The Mirror: “Following the man’s arrest, detectives are assessing the contents of a video.”

The Queen spent Christmas Day at Windsor Castle with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Both couples were seen attending a church service in St George's Chapel, in the castle grounds, at 10.45am on Christmas morning.

A palace source said: "It is obviously a worry to have to deal with a break in like this, especially after Her Majesty has been through so much this year and in the lead up to Christmas.

"There will have to be a major evaluation of the security procedures and protocols after this event.

"Fortunately the intruder was apprehended and police were on the scene almost immediately but there is a chill in the air over what could have been."

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the incident.

Crossbows are often referred to as “lethal but legal” because they require no licence or registration and can be bought on the internet.