Fashion
The True Story of Queen Elizabeth and Michael Fagan, the Palace Intruder
The Crown Season 4 revisits Michael Fagan’s infamous Buckingham Palace break-in. Here’s what really happened….
On July 9, 1982, at just around 7 a.m., Michael Fagan shimmied up a Buckingham Palace drainpipe all the way to a flat roof that was only a few feet away from the palace’s main building. He was barefoot, unshaven, and wearing only a sweatshirt and jeans. He climbed through an unlocked window and into the palace’s historic halls, undetected by cameras or security. Then he slipped into the chambers of Queen Elizabeth II.
Nearly 40 years later, the worst security breach in Buckingham Palace history is revisited in season four, episode five, of The Crown, “Fagan.” Instead of showing it from the queen’s perspective, creator Peter Morgan approaches it from the downtrodden eyes of Fagan. An unemployed decorator struggling with mental illness, he’s estranged from his wife, his children, and most of all, Thatcherism. He breaks into the queen’s bedroom because he wants her to know how people like him were left behind by the conservative, deregulated state. “She’s destroying the country,” he says of Thatcher. “The right to work, the right to be ill, the right to be old, the right to be frail, to be human—gone.”
The bones of the story line are true. An unemployed Fagan did break into Buckingham Palace, not once but twice. And the second time, he did wander into the queen’s bedroom for 10 uninterrupted minutes until she was able to get help.
But The Crown did take significant creative license. According to, well, Fagan himself: In a recent interview with The Telegraph, he recounted that they didn’t converse for very long at all. “‘What are you doing here?’” Fagan says the monarch asked when he pulled back her curtains. Furthermore, Scotland Yard’s incident report at the time said that, after two phone calls to the police, “Her Majesty attracted the attention of the maid, and together they ushered Fagan into a nearby pantry on the pretext of supplying him with a cigarette.”
Reports published immediately after the incident in 1982 fleshed out their conversation topics a bit more: The New York Times, for example, wrote that Fagan and the queen talked about Prince Charles. (This makes sense: Charles and Diana had just welcomed their first child, Prince William, weeks before.) A rant against conservatism and Thatcher, however? Not mentioned by any news outlet or even by Fagan himself.
One detail of The Crown’s depiction that is true? Fagan’s wine theft. During his first break in—where he also got in via drainpipe—he found himself in Buckingham Palace’s Room 108. It was being used to store gifts the public sent for the Prince and Princess of Wales’s baby. He found a bottle of Australian wine in the cabinet and poured himself a drink. “I was waiting to be captured,” he said during his trial for theft of the bottle of wine. (He was acquitted.) “I drank it because I was waiting for someone to come.” And, the second time around, someone certainly did.
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Mike Amiri’s Fashion Empire, Unveiling the 2024 Net Worth of the Trendsetting Designer
Mike Amiri’s Fashion Empire, Unveiling the 2024 Net Worth of the Trendsetting Designer
Artist Spotlight
Shreyaa Sumi: A Red Carpet Sensation with a Story of Triumph
In the glitzy world of fashion and entertainment, certain personalities shine bright, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide. One such luminary is Shreyaa Sumi, a multi-talented individual who has left an indelible mark on the global fashion scene. Shreyaa has become a symbol of success, juggling roles as an American model, actress, and a devoted wife and mother. Let’s delve into the fascinating journey of this accomplished individual who recently graced the Los Angeles fashion show with her stunning presence.
Red Carpet Glamour at Los Angeles Fashion Show:
Shreyaa Sumi recently stole the spotlight at a Los Angeles fashion show, turning heads with her radiant red look. The Instagram sensation posted a video flaunting her glamorous ensemble – a short and sassy red dress paired with long black shoes and a chic red jacket. The caption, “What time is it? It’s showtime! Thank you for inviting me to your private NY Red Carpet event,” exuded confidence and excitement. The location tag placed her at the heart of the entertainment world – Los Angeles, Hollywood.
Early Life and Modelling Beginnings:
Shreyaa Sumi embarked on her modeling journey in India, where her passion for fashion and media first took root. However, it wasn’t until she moved to the United States with her husband Vijai, that she decided to pursue her dreams on an international scale. From that point forward, there was no looking back for Shreyaa.
Family and Personal Life:
Beyond the glitz and glamour, Shreyaa Sumi is a proud wife to Vijai and a doting mother to her daughter, Sia Vijai. Her ability to balance a thriving career with family life is a testament to her resilience and dedication. In media interviews, Shreyaa has openly shared how her family has been her pillar of support, standing by her throughout her journey to turn dreams into reality.
Awards and Accolades:
Shreyaa Sumi’s success in the fashion industry is underscored by a slew of prestigious awards. In 2022, she clinched the title of Mrs Universe Asia USA, a testament to her excellence on the international stage. Additionally, she has been honored with a doctorate, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the fields of media and fashion. Shreyaa also holds the Asia’s Women of Influence Lifetime Achievement Award, further solidifying her status as an industry trailblazer.
Shreyaa Sumi’s story is one of triumph, resilience, and unwavering determination. From her modest beginnings in Tamilnadu, India, to gracing the red carpet in Hollywood, she has come a long way. As an American model, actress, and a devoted wife and mother, Shreyaa Sumi continues to inspire aspiring individuals in the fashion and entertainment industry. With a string of accolades to her name and a supportive family by her side, Shreyaa is indeed a force to be reckoned with in the world of glamour and fame.