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A Chinese student allegedly tried to break into Buckingham Palace with a knife hidden in his shoe.

Hang Zhang, 25, from Sheffield, was immediately arrested by police at the entrance to the palace at about 2.45pm on Friday.

Zhang was taken to a central London police station and was searched by officers who are said to have found him with a pocket folding knife.

He had initially been arrested on suspicion of trespass but, after a mental health assessment by doctors, was charged with possessing an offensive weapon.

Yesterday he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to face the allegation and will appear in court again today.

Police said they are not treating the incident as terrorism-related.

The Queen was not believed to have been inside the palace at the time.

Friday’s alleged break-in attempt is the fourth security alert at the Royal home since May this year.

Last Tuesday another man was arrested after a security breach at Buckingham Palace in the early hours of the morning.

The 22-year-old from Croydon was spotted by officers who were watching CCTV.