Man arrested after threatening approach to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor near royal estate

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was ‘shaken’ by an encounter with a man wearing a balaclava near the Sandringham estate.

The former Duke of York is reported to be now demanding taxpayer-funded security following the incident on Wednesday evening near his new Norfolk home.

The masked man allegedly had a crowbar in his vehicle when he approached Andrew while the former prince was out walking his dog.

Alex Jenkinson, 39, from Suffolk, was arrested by officers at 7.30pm on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and a public order offense.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video link today and pleaded not guilty to using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior to harass someone or cause alarm or distress.

Jenkinson was released on conditional bail and is now banned from entering the county of Norfolk, being near any royally owned property in the UK, and from contacting Andrew.

However, the former prince is believed to be increasingly concerned about his personal safety following the incident near Marsh Farm.

A source told the Telegraph that the former Duke of York was more at risk following media coverage of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and his excesses during his time as a UK trade envoy.

The source added that, despite being stripped of his titles, Andrew’s high profile meant his security arrangements should be reviewed.

They said: ‘There should be a review, which gives proper consideration to Andrew in light of what has happened.’

Questions over Andrew’s security have been raised since he moved out of the Royal Lodge in Windsor earlier this year.

The Sandringham estate is routinely open to the public, and the former duke no longer enjoys the royal protections afforded to him in Windsor.

To help mitigate risks, CCTV cameras and a 6ft fence have been installed at Marsh Farm, and the property has been added to the no-fly area over Sandringham in a bid to bolster the former prince’s safety.

Meanwhile, the Home Office is reviewing security arrangements for Prince Harry, despite the stateside royal’s legal defeat on his rights to automatic public-funded protection.

The Duke of Sussex has argued his risks have increased since he moved across the pond and has refused to bring his family to the UK without guaranteed police protection.

The review’s findings will be submitted to the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC).

Metro has approached Andrew’s representatives for a comment.