Mystery drones have been spotted in the sky above King Charles’s home Sandringham.
The flying objects were sighted just before Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s visited last month, the Sun reports.
Security officials reacted in panic and have now imposed a 365 day no-fly zone to protect ‘public safety and security’.
The drone scare comes six months after U.S. air bases in nearby Norfolk and Suffolk were also targeted, with British troops drafted in to help identify them.
The new sighting at Sandringham came as a major security operation was underway during Zelensky’s visit to the King’s home last month.
The Ukrainian leader was in the UK to rally European allies after his bust-up with President Trump over the war with Russia in the White House.
But on the weekend of the visit, the unidentified drones sparked a frenzy in the 60 acre estate.
One was traced to a man sitting in a nearby car, who was not a member of the media, according to the Sun.
While another drone was traced to a photographer, the source of the others has not yet been identified.
The scare prompted security services to ask for a drone ban over Sandringham on March 4, which went into force on March 10.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander approved the order that restricts aircraft from flying below 2,000 feet at Sandringham ‘for reasons of public safety and security’.
The order reads: ‘These Regulations impose restrictions on flying in the vicinity of Sandringham House, Norfolk.
‘In view of the need for security for members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries staying at or visiting Sandringham House and at the request of the security services, it has been agreed by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport that flying should be restricted in the vicinity of that location for reasons of public safety and security.’
The detailed ban, seen by Metro, stops all aircraft from being in the vicinity of Sandringham.
Exceptions are for aircraft by emergency services or the Royal Family itself, as well those flying or landing in Sandringham with the permission of the police and the Royals.
Security expert Will Geddes told Metro that if any drones were over the Royal grounds for malicious purposes, it would likely be for planning an attack.
He said: ‘Dronesare used as a platform for explosives, or having armaments attached to them.
‘But my concern with Sandringham would be for reconnaissance.
‘So, for determining the footprint of the property. If someone was going to plan an attack, that information would be needed in advance. But drones are not just used for mal intent.’
Geddes added that security experts are worried about the ease with which software, which stops drones flying in certain areas, can be overridden.
He said: ‘Drones will be set up with blind spots over prisons and sensitive sights.
‘One of the biggest concerns is that there are ways you can hack the drones and bypass the no-fly zones.
‘Online you could probably find a couple tutorial videos which will show you how to do it.’
The new drone restrictions followed a previous three month ban at Sandringham, which ended the day before Zelensky arrived.
King Charles was also meeting outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Sandringham the following day.
No-fly zones are in place across other high profile Royal Family and Defence locations.
The flying technology are banned from hovering over the King’s Balmoral estate in Scotland.
The same ban is in place at Windsor Castle following a security review in January 2022.
The King’s spokesman declined to comment on his security arrangements.
Norfolk Police said: ‘During a state visit at Sandringham on Sunday March 2, a drone was seen flying by patrolling officers.
‘The pilot was identified as a member of the media who had a conversation with officers to confirm no restrictions had been breached.
‘No further action was taken. Drone pilots should be aware that new legislation has now come into force which restricts flying in the vicinity of Sandringham House at all times.
‘Previously, restrictions were in place each year between December 1 and March 1.’
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