Threats Linked to Man’s Claim: Concerns Raised Over Queen’s Safety
According to declassified documents, a potential threat to Queen Elizabeth emerged following a phone call from an individual who claimed that his daughter had been killed in Northern Ireland by a rubber bullet. The documents also mention a bar frequented by Irish Republican Army (IRA) sympathizers. The nature of the threat and its credibility were outlined in the document.
Historical Context: Previous Attacks on the British Monarchy
The file highlights the historical context of the threat, referencing a 1979 incident when IRA paramilitaries targeted Louis Mountbatten, the uncle of Prince Philip and the last colonial governor of India. The incident involved a bomb attack. Given this backdrop, concerns were raised regarding the safety of Queen Elizabeth during her visit to the United States’ west coast in February and March 1983, where she and Prince Philip traveled without any incidents.
Potential Threat Scenarios and Ongoing IRA Concerns
According to the declassified documents, the individual who made the phone call claimed to have intentions to harm the queen. The scenarios mentioned included the possibility of dropping an object off the Golden Gate Bridge onto the royal yacht Britannia while it passed underneath, or attempting to target Queen Elizabeth during her visit to Yosemite National Park. Another file from 1989 highlighted the ongoing potential threats from the IRA, although no specific threats against the queen were reported by the FBI at that time.
History of Assassination Attempts and Security Incidents
The declassified files shed light on previous assassination attempts and security incidents involving Queen Elizabeth. These include a 1970 incident in which suspected IRA sympathizers attempted to derail her train in Sydney, an IRA bombing attempt during her visit to Shetland in 1981, a mentally disturbed teenager firing a shot towards her car in New Zealand during the same year, and another teenager firing blanks at her during the Trooping the Colour parade in central London. These incidents demonstrate the ongoing security challenges faced by the British monarchy.
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