Extinction Rebellion activists plan to storm Windsor Castle where the Princess of Wales often spends time as she recovers from cancer and occupy areas that are off limits to the public, MailOnline can reveal.
They also aim to cause mayhem in Windsor town centre by targeting hotels and restaurants as well as shutting down roads as part of a planned three-day mass demonstration.
While the demo has been made known by the group, the tactic of breaking into the castle grounds by hard core members was uncovered by a leading security and risk assessment organisation who infiltrated XR group chats.
An investigator posing as a potential activist listened in to a zoom meeting involving over a dozen others where they discussed the non-violent action they had planned.
During the online discussion members of the climate action group revealed they plan to create a diversion on The Long Walk with the red robed troupe of performers often seen at their demos.
Extinction Rebellion demonstrators are planning on storming Windsor Castle during a weekend of action later this month. Pictured: A view of the Long Walk down to the gates of Windsor Castle
The climate activists plan on shutting down roads in the town as part of their action. Pictured: An XR protester wearing a Grim Reaper costume during a protest outside Policy Exchange in London in July this year
The Princess of Wales often spends time at Windsor Castle as she continues her recovery from cancer. Pictured: Princess Catherine at the Windsor Foodshare in January 2023
According to a confidential report obtained by MailOnline this would allow others to get into areas that are strictly out of bounds to members of the public.
The group hope the publicity from storming the castle will help boost their profile and enhance their demands for a Citizens Assembly to be established to tackle the climate crisis.
A risk assessment into the demo from August 30th to September 1st was ordered from the ASG Group by a local business after the Crown Estate and local council gave approval for the demo.
Their report reveals a highly cynical move with XR organisers asking for elderly and disabled activists to attend the three-day demo as they know police would have a harder job removing them.
The group discussed how the ‘optics’ of police having to remove an elderly person would be in their favour.
XR announced earlier this year they planned a mass demonstration called ‘Upgrade Democracy’ to be held in Windsor, Berkshire.
The group – who have previously shut down parts of London with protests – said King Charles understood the perils of climate change and quoted from an extract of a book he had written warning about the dangers facing the world.
He will not be in residence on the dates of the protest.
In one meeting posted online XR members are seen discussing why they have chosen Windsor as their next target
The action is planned to take place even after other XR leaders including co-founder Roger Hallam were jailed for causing disruption and criminal damage
The Princess of Wales has been known to spend time recuperating from her cancer diagnosis at Adelaide Farm in the grounds of the Castle.
XR said they would not be targeting an individual but ‘the system’ as they demand immediate action and a ban on fossil fuels.
Thousands of their XR followers are expected to descend on the Berkshire town with the local council and Thames Valley Police, according to XR, giving permission for Home Park to be turned into a campsite for up to 10,000 people.
The undercover investigator from the ASG Pivotal Intelligence Unit learned their motives were far more sinister than a simple demonstration – with trespassing inside the castle a key motive for the gathering.
The report by ASG says: ‘Activists will be meeting at The Long Walk to carry out that mass trespass into Windsor Castle Grounds at 6pm.
‘Activists have been asked to dress in business suits or as oil barons – there will be the XR red and black brigade doing their pageantry on the Long Walk itself.
‘However this will be a choreographed distraction to allow other activists to attempt to mass trespass into restricted areas of Windsor Castle grounds.
‘Should this be prevented or dispersed online chatter suggested targeting local businesses that serve high net worth individuals as secondary targets.
‘Several high end hotels were mentioned as part of this list. So those in the local area should be vigilant’
One of the main organisers of the protest is former Olympic gold medallist Etienne Stott MBE and he led the online chat.
Among those involved in the plot is former Olympian Etienne Stott who won gold in the men’s canoe doubles at London 2012. Pictured: Stott (left) with teammate Time Baille (right) after being given their gold medals
Stott, pictured here outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court in January 2023, has become a key player in Extinction Rebellion
He won the slalom canoe event at the London Olympics in 2012 but has become a key player withing XR after other leaders, including Roger Hallam, were jailed for causing disruption and criminal damage.
Hallam, the co-founder of XR, was jailed for five years for conspiring with others in the Just Stop Oil group to cause travel chaos for motorists on the M25.
Stott is leading the three-day protest as he has links to the local area, particularly Dorney Lakes about two miles from Windsor where he trained during his Olympic campaign.
Etienne has previously been arrested for environmental direct action.
In 2019 he was one of a group that blocked the roads on London bridges and also glued himself to the top of an oil tanker in 2022.
Other leading figures planning the demo include mum of two from Lincoln Catherine Bartlett.
Ann Marie Marray, XR Head Of Diversity and Inclusion, and Jim Stevens known as Boaty Jim who is in charge of organisation and logistics, also are part of the leadership team and have carried out visits to the area.
Eco activists attend an Extinction Rebellion march through central London in April last year
Protesters hold a sign reading ‘Fossil filth is over’ during an Extinction Rebellion march through London in April 2023
The undercover investigator heard how a mystery benefactor is paying for protesters to converge on Windsor while those attending will be given free sleeping bags and tents. Travel bursaries have been offered to encourage thousands to turn up and cause maximum disruption.
Even though the protest is about the threat of climate change some of those taking part are flying in from Portugal. Others taking part on the group chat asked about car parking spaces.
The undercover investigator said: ‘It is the height of hypocrisy that they are demonstrating against climate change and yet there are people flying to the event.’
Tourists visiting the Castle will also be targeted and a breakaway group will attempt to chain themselves to the railings outside the castle, according to the risk assessment.
In their report ASG Assist Pivotal said the authorities should consider ‘additional surge security’ who are trained in civil disobedience.
They also warned local premises that XR activists might try to gain access under false pretences.
ASG sources said the report has been requested by the Royal Household.
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said event was a matter for Thames Valley police.
The Crown Estate, Windsor and Maidenhead Council and Thames Valley Police have been contacted for comment.
