Man sets himself on fire outside William and Kate's Kensington Palace home

A man died on Tuesday after setting himself on fire outside Kensington Palace, the London home of Prince William and his wife Kate, police said.

The incident was not being treated as suspicious or related to terrorism, they added.

The man set himself on fire outside Will and Kate's Kensington Palace. Photo: Yahoo News
The man set himself on fire outside Will and Kate's Kensington Palace. Photo: Yahoo News

Police said they had been alerted just after midnight by officials from a central London hospital to say a man in their care had failed to return.

"Officers attended and found a man, believed to be aged in his forties, ablaze," a statement said.

Three hours later, officers were called to a site near the locked parks of the palace, located in Kensington Gardens in central London, after reports of a man acting suspiciously. When they arrived they found the man, in his 40s, ablaze.

He was declared dead not long afterwards.

Photo: Getty images
Photo: Getty images

Kensington Palace is the official London residence of William although he, Kate and their two children, George and Charlotte, spend most of their time at their country mansion in Norfolk, eastern England, close to where the prince works as an air ambulance helicopter pilot.

If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978.