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A unicorn which makes up part of the Royal Coat of Arms at the entrance to Buckingham Palace has been knocked off by an incoming lorry.

It is understood a contractor’s vehicle damaged the North Centre Gate yesterday morning.

A source told the Evening Standard: “It was knocked off by a builder’s lorry.”

Pictures showed the unicorn in pieces on the floor, with an empty space left on the gate’s crest.

One passer-by said on Twitter: “Alas poor unicorn, knocked off from its perch on the gates of Buckingham Palace.”

The gate bearing the Royal Coat of Arms is considered the everyday entrance to the Palace.

The crest’s lion represents England while the unicorn symbolises Scotland.

Designed by Walter Gilbert and Louis Weingarten of the Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts, the gates and railings of the Palace were installed in 1911.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “We can confirm an incident took place yesterday morning where a lorry damaged the North Centre Gate at Buckingham Palace.

“The matter is currently being investigated.”



Nobody was hurt during the incident and there was no security risk. The Metropolitan Police said there was no criminal investigation.

A Palace spokeswoman has said they intend to fix the crest as quickly as possible.