Belgium's Princess Esmeralda has been arrested during climate change demonstrations in London, protest organisers have said.

She is one of 1,290 people hauled off the streets by police as Extinction Rebellion attempt to shut down London for a fortnight.

Image: Princess Esmeralda's police release letter was shared by Extinction Rebellion Camden on Twitter

In a tweet, the organisers' Camden branch said the princess was taken to Camden police station.

They showed a letter addressed to her, with a custody number, which read: "I understand that I have been released from custody without charge."

It also said that police may need to speak to her again and that she remains under investigation and "the matter is not concluded".


Princess Esmeralda was born at the Chateau du Stuyvenberg in Brussels and she is the aunt of Belgian King Philippe. She is thought to live in London and works as a journalist, author and documentary maker.

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She tweeted: "...along with many other protesters I was arrested and put in police custody. The climate emergency calls on all of us to pressure out governments to act with urgency."

Police have spent the past few days trying to clear London's main roads of protesters.

Today along with many other protesters I was arrested and put in police custody. The climate emergency calls on all of us to pressure out governments to act with urgency #ExtinctionRebellion #ClimateBreakdown pic.twitter.com/JILVvzvp1Y — Esme (@esmeraldadereth) October 10, 2019

On Tuesday, officers used scissors to cut people out of tents along Whitehall. Police moved people to Trafalgar Square but those who refused to budge were arrested and carried off to police stations.

This morning, a former Paralympic cyclist appeared in court and denied climbing on to a British Airways jet and gluing himself to it.

James Brown, 55, is accused of causing a public nuisance during the incident at London's City Airport.

#LandingCrew performers outside #Westminster #MagistratesCourt as James Brown, the blind Paralympian medallist, arrested after climbing on a plane at City airport, denies causing a public nuisance.



Art meets law meets protest meets bravery meets #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/WIyB3jM0L9 — Culture Declares Emergency (@CultureDeclares) October 12, 2019

He was granted conditional bail and banned from going within a mile of any UK airport. He is scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court for trial on 8 November.

This afternoon, around 50 healthcare professionals dressed in scrubs, face masks and stethoscopes gathered outside Shell HQ in London, calling on the oil and gas company to be a leader in decarbonisation.

London has never met the legal limits on pollutants since they came in in 2010.



🇬🇧110 air pollution deaths today in the U.K.

🌍19,178 air pollution deaths globally today



We need action now #ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/LSq6eqbQae — DoctorsForXR (@DoctorsXr) October 12, 2019

The medics plan to march to Trafalgar Square with 40,000 pairs of shoes, representing the number of people they say have died prematurely due to polluted air.

Today it was announced that 100 extra officers will be sent to London from Scotland to help the Metropolitan Police manage protests taking place over the next few weeks.

Police Scotland insist the staffing re-location will not affect their ability to protect the public in Scotland.

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