A man has been charged over a security scare involvingAndrew Mountbatten-Windsornear Sandringham on Wednesday evening, after the former prince was allegedly confronted bysomeone wearing a balaclava while out walking his dogsclose to his Norfolk home.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has been living a largely withdrawn life on King Charles'sSandringham Estatesince earlier this year after leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. Stripped of his royal title and dukedom over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, he now lives at Marsh Farm near the village of Wolferton. His movements draw only a fraction of the attention they once did, but they remain a point of sensitivity for police and palace officials.
Norfolk Police said officers were called to Wolferton shortly after 7.30pm on Wednesday 6 May following reports that a man was behaving in an intimidating way in the village.
TheTelegraphreported thatAndrew was walking his dogs near Marsh Farmwhen a man in a balaclava, who had been sitting in a car, spotted him about 50 yards away. The individual is said to have got out of the vehicle and moved towards the former duke while shouting.
In a statement, Norfolk Police said: 'Officers were called to Wolferton shortly after 7.30pm yesterday (Wednesday May 6 2026) following a report a man was behaving in an intimidating manner in the village. Officers attended, and the man was arrested 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 remains in custody.'
Later, the force named the suspect asAlex Jenkinson, 39, of Stowmarket, Suffolk. He has been charged with two counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to harass, alarm or cause distress, and with failing to provide a specimen of blood while in custody.
Jenkinson is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Friday. Police have not detailed what was allegedly said during the confrontation, nor have they disclosed what weapon was said to be involved. There is no indication in the available reporting that Andrew was physically harmed, but the case underlines how exposed even a semi retired royal can be on what should have been a routine evening dog walk.
The incident has inevitably raisedquestions about how the King's younger brother is protectednow that he no longer holds the same formal status or duties as other senior royals.
The late Queen's second son now receives an annual stipend from King Charles, including an allowance towards private security, according to Press Association reporting. How Andrew chooses to use that money is understood to be at his own discretion. His move from Windsor's 30 room Royal Lodge, where he had long paid a nominal rent on a Crown Estate property, to a smaller but refurbished five bedroom home at Marsh Farm was seen by some insiders as an effort to reduce both cost and profile.
Marsh Farm sits in a remote corner of the 20,000 acre Sandringham Estate, about 500 metres from Wolferton and roughly 4km from Sandringham House itself. On paper, that offers a degree of natural protection. In practice, Wednesday's incident suggests that determined individuals can still get close enough to cause alarm before police arrive.
Source: International Business Times UK
