A couple of palace guards are probably getting pink slips after Prince Andrew Duke of York was mistaken for an intruder at Buckingham Palace recently.

While in the gardens of the estate, the Queen's second eldest son was held at gunpoint by two officers following an incident with a real intruder.

Just two days before, a man was found in the Palace's state rooms and his suspected accomplice was arrested outside.

Dealing with the situation gracefully, the 53-year-old royal said in a statement, "The police have a difficult job to do balancing security for the Royal Family and deterring intruders, and sometimes they get it wrong. I am grateful for their apology and look forward to a safe walk in the garden in the future."