Prince Andrew is pushing for his taxpayer-funded security to be reinstated after a balaclava-clad man armed with a crowbar confronted him while he was walking his dogs near his home on the Sandringham estate, leaving the former Duke of York shaken.
The incident took place in the village of Wolferton on the King’s Norfolk estate shortly after 7.30pm on Wednesday evening, close to Andrew’s residence at Marsh Farm. Police were called to reports of a man behaving in an “intimidating manner” in the village. Andrew was unhurt but visibly shaken by the encounter, according to sources.
Norfolk Constabulary confirmed that Alex Jenkinson, 39, of Stowmarket, Suffolk, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a public order offence and possession of an offensive weapon. He was taken to King’s Lynn Police Investigation Centre for questioning and has since been charged with two counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to harass someone or cause alarm or distress. He also faces a further charge of failing to provide a specimen of blood in custody. Jenkinson has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The confrontation has reignited debate over Andrew’s security arrangements, which were withdrawn by King Charles in 2024 following Andrew’s widely publicised links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. He was subsequently stripped of his royal titles late last year and removed from his former home at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
A source close to Andrew told the Telegraph that the incident demonstrated why his protection needed urgent review. “Even though Andrew is no longer a working member of the Royal family, the threat to his personal safety is greater than ever,” the source said. “It could be argued that he is actually more at risk, not only from a potential terror attack but also from individuals who have become fixated due to all of the coverage he has attracted over recent years. This incident clearly demonstrates why his security provisions need to be appropriate for someone with such a high profile. There should be a review which gives proper consideration to Andrew in the light of what has happened.”
The case raises difficult questions for the Palace and the Government over the security obligations owed to high-profile former royals who no longer hold official status, particularly those who continue to attract significant public attention and, as Wednesday’s incident suggests, potential personal risk.
