Buckingham Palace has launched an investigation after a staff member was arrested following a Christmas gathering that escalated into a “punch-up” and “bar brawl” at a London pub, a palace spokesperson said on Friday.
London police said that a 24-year-old woman was arrested at the venue near the royal residence on Thursday, on the suspicion of common assault, property damage, and disorderly conduct under the influence of alcohol.
“Officers were called to a bar in Victoria Street following reports that a customer had smashed glasses and attempted to assault a member of staff,” a police official said.
The incident took place during a social event involving around 50 palace staff, according to The Sun newspaper.
The staff had attended an early evening reception at Buckingham Palace before moving to a nearby pub to continue their celebrations.
However, the gathering took a chaotic turn, leading to police intervention on Tuesday, December 10, after the staff member allegedly attempted to assault a bar employee, police added.
A palace spokesperson clarified that the gathering was an “informal social gathering, not an official palace Christmas party.”
“We are aware of an incident outside the workplace involving a number of household staff who had previously attended an early evening reception at the palace,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“While this was an informal social gathering, not an official Palace Christmas party, the facts will be fully investigated, with a robust disciplinary process followed in relation to individual staff and appropriate action taken,” the spokesperson added.