What happened to the man who broke into Buckingham Palace in the 80s?
Michael Gray
Updated on May 18, 2026
After the palace break-ins, Michael Fagan was only charged with the theft of wine. Back then, trespassing was only a civil offense rather than a criminal one. Soon after, Fagan received a psychiatric evaluation, and spent three months in a psychiatric hospital.
What happened to Michael Fagan who broke into the palace?
What happened to Michael Fagan? After the two palace break-ins, Michael Fagan was only charged with the theft of wine. (At the time, trespassing was only a civil offense rather than a criminal one.) Shortly thereafter, Fagan received an psychiatric evaluation and spent three months in a psychiatric hospital.What did the queen say to Michael Fagan?
He said, "For God's sake, woman, would you give me a kiss?" And the Queen said, "I shouldn't even be massaging your back." Michael was sentenced to two years in jail. He served a few months and was let out early for good behavior. It's said the Queen actually sent him a couple of letters while he was in prison.Did Michael Fagan actually talk to the Queen?
In multiple reports at the time, it was suggested the pair had a conversation lasting several minutes and the Queen tried to press her panic button but it didn't work. However, Fagan himself has clarified the pair never actually spoke during his visit.Did Michael Fagan go to jail?
He attacked a Welsh police officer in 1984, and three years later, he was found guilty of indecent exposure. In 1997, Fagan, his wife, and their 20-year-old son were charged with conspiring to sell heroin. He served four years in prison.The Man Who Broke Into Buckingham Palace TWICE!
Who is Mark Fagan?
Mark Fagan is a Lecturer in Public Policy and former Senior Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard Kennedy School.How true is The Crown?
“The Crown is a blend of fact and fiction, inspired by true events,” royal historian Carolyn Harris, author of Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting, tells Parade.com.What time does the Queen go to sleep?
Reportedly, the Queen goes to sleep at 11pm every night before waking up at 7.30am - clocking in an impressive eight and a half hours sleep. It's also said the monarch is fond of reading before she retires for the night, a proven way to improve sleep quality and reduce stress.Can you sleep at Buckingham Palace?
Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors every summer. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.Is the Fagan episode true?
But while The Crown uses the story to dramatize the economic desperation of the Thatcher era, the real-life intentions of Fagan are a bit more nebulous, even to Fagan himself. The real Michael Fagan, played on screen by Tom Brooke, is very much alive, which means he has made his issues with the episode well known.What did Michael Fagan think of The Crown?
Since The Crown's fourth season dropped on Netflix, the real Michael Fagan has responded to his portrayal on the show in a brand new interview. Speaking to The Sun, Fagan criticised The Crown for making him "too ugly", adding that the actor who plays him, Tom Brooke, has "no charisma".Is there a swimming pool in Buckingham Palace?
Everything to Know About Royal JubileesAmong Buckingham Palace's mysterious 775 rooms is a swimming pool, where heirs to the throne from Prince Charles to Prince George have reportedly learned how to swim.