Home / Crime and Justice / Squatters Trash Royal Hangout Raffles Club
Squatters Trash Royal Hangout Raffles Club
15 Apr
Summary
- Around 20 squatters broke into the exclusive Raffles club for an illegal rave.
- The club, a former haunt of Prince Harry, suffered £25,000 in damages.
- Eleven individuals were arrested by police who shut down the rave.
- Another nearby pub, The March Hare, also experienced theft and vandalism.
A private members' club, Raffles, located on King's Road in Chelsea, was recently trashed due to an illegal rave. Approximately 20 squatters are believed to have broken into the venue, which has been closed for over a year awaiting redevelopment permission. The incident occurred on Sunday, April 12, 2026, and caused an estimated £25,000 in damages.
Police were alerted to the rave and arrived on Sunday afternoon, arresting 11 individuals, including seven men and four women. They shut down the event before hundreds more potential attendees could arrive. The squatters had initially broken into The March Hare pub across the road, which is currently undergoing renovation. This resulted in the theft of approximately £10,000 worth of alcohol and a sound system.
Raffles, named after colonial mogul Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, was founded in 1967 and has a long history of celebrity and Royal patrons, including Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles. This marks the second break-in at the club since its closure in January 2025, with a previous incident occurring in November 2025. The arrested individuals were interviewed and subsequently bailed pending further inquiries. The management of The March Hare expressed gratitude to the police for their assistance and vowed to proceed with their planned opening events despite the setbacks.
