THE Queen has stepped up defences against hackers after learning the Royal Family is a high-risk target.

Her Majesty, 95, has relished engagements via video call in lockdown and chats to grandson Harry and wife Meghan in the US.

Her cyber security experts say in a report there is now a high rather than medium risk of unauthorised access to Royal Household data.

The warning, written by Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, is thought to refer to crooks in China and Russia.

It warns the effect of hacking would be: “Reputational damage, penalties and/or legal action against the Household or members of staff.”

In March, the Queen appointed Elliot Atkins as her first chief information security officer to prevent online attacks.

A month earlier ex-MI5 chief Andrew Parker was made head of her Royal Household.

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Fears are high after US-based Colonial Pipeline paid a £3million ransom over a hack in May.

Royal sources insist staff training and high levels of cyber security have always been in place.

Defences have been tightened in response to the specialist external advice rather than any specific incident. Buckingham Palace would not comment.

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