Prince Andrew has requested the reinstatement of his taxpayer-funded security following a tense confrontation near his new Sandringham home. The incident occurred on Wednesday while he walked his dog on the estate, leaving the Duke shaken and prompting calls for restored public protection.
The Confrontation Unfolds
A man wearing a balaclava approached and shouted at Prince Andrew before he entered a car and drove away. The suspect allegedly pursued the vehicle on foot and was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon.
Police Response and Arrest
Norfolk Police responded to reports of a man behaving intimidatingly in Wolferton shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Officers arrested the individual on suspicion of a public order offense and possession of an offensive weapon. He was taken to the King’s Lynn Police Investigation Centre for questioning and remains in custody.
Alex Jenkinson, 39, pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 8, to charges of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior intended to cause fear or provoke violence.
Security Background
Prince Andrew’s publicly funded protection ended in 2022, three years after he stepped down as a working royal. He now relies on private security, reportedly providing 24-hour coverage. Despite this, the recent incident has intensified demands for state-backed safeguards.
Following the stripping of his remaining titles last October, Prince Andrew relocated from Royal Lodge to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate. The property received upgrades before his move over Easter, including an electric fence and a six-foot wooden barrier, amid ongoing scrutiny over his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein.
Dai Davies, former head of royal protection and ex-divisional commander with the Metropolitan Police, noted the King’s decision to house him on the estate. “A huge amount of money is being spent renovating where he is going to stay,” Davies stated, adding that he does not believe additional protection is necessary at this time.
