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A 'knifeman' was arrested outside Buckingham Palace today - just 30 seconds before the Queen passed by in a car yards away.

The man was escorted away by officers after being found in possession of a knife in The Mall at around 10.40am, police say.

Dramatic footage showed him lying on the ground, dressed in a blue hoodie and a khaki coat, as cops searched his body.

The arrest came less than 48 hours after a suicide bomber detonated an IED at Manchester Arena, killing 22 and injuring 119.

Mirror photographer Ian Vogler snapped a picture of the suspect being held on the ground by police at the bottom of The Mall.

(Image: London News Pictures) (Image: Getty Images Europe) (Image: London News Pictures Ltd) (Image: Daily Mirror) (Image: PA)

A police van arrived with lights flashing and drove him away. As he was led to the van, the suspect appeared to give a small smile.

Armed police were pictured at the scene of the incident, while one officer appeared to be holding a forensic tube containing a large knife.

Ian said Her Majesty passed by in the car, just 50 yards away, moments after the arrest, seemingly oblivious to the drama.

The Metropolitan Police told Mirror Online that the incident was "not believed to be terrorism-related".

The Queen was travelling to St Paul's Cathedral, where she and the Duke of Edinburgh are attending a service to mark the 100th anniversary of the Order of the British Empire.

(Image: London News Pictures)

(Image: London News Pictures Ltd)

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

(Image: London News Pictures)

Almost two thousand holders of the Order's awards, from Knights and Dames to those who have received a CBE, OBE or MBE, are expected to join the royal couple at the service.

The congregation will be formed by people from all parts of the UK and Commonwealth, and will include a number of honorary award holders.

Today's arrest came after Prime Minister Theresa May announced the terrorism threat level in the UK was being raised to "critical". This is the highest alert level, meaning an attack is thought be imminent.

This morning, a sign was erected outside Buckingham Palace saying the changing of the guard had been cancelled.

(Image: Daily Mirror) (Image: Daily Mirror) (Image: Newsflare)

The move was taken so that officers could be redeployed in the wake of the Manchester attack on Monday night.

The changing of the guard is one of London's most popular tourist attractions.

In a statement about today's arrest, a Met Police spokeswoman said: "A man has been arrested in The Mall, SW1, in possession of a knife.

"Patrolling officers detained and arrested the man in The Mall at about 10.40am this morning."

(Image: PA)

(Image: PA)

She added that no-one was injured in the incident and that it is not thought to be related to terrorism.

"A knife was recovered," the spokeswoman said. "The man has been taken to a central London police station."

In the Manchester bombing, victims were leaving an Ariana Grande concert at the arena when the bomb went off.

(Image: PA) (Image: PA)

Nearly two dozen people, including an eight-year-old girl, died, while a further 59 were hospitalised, some with body parts missing.

Sixty others were described as 'walking wounded'.

The bombing suspect was killed in the explosion.