Former prince Andrew allegedly threatened by balaclava-clad man

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was allegedly threatened by a man in a balaclava near his new home, The Telegraph can reveal.

The former prince was out walking his dogs around 7.30pm on Wednesday (UK time) near the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk when a man got out of his car and made his way towards him while shouting at him.

The Telegraph understands that the man had been sitting in his car when he saw Mountbatten-Windsor about 50 yards (45 metres) away.

The former Duke of York – who was accompanied by a member of his private security detail – rushed towards his own car, parked nearby, and drove away at speed as the suspect allegedly tried to sprint after him.

A man has been arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and on suspicion of a public order offence.

The Telegraph understands that the incident happened on public land in a lane close to the Sandringham Royal Parkland.

Norfolk Constabulary was alerted and officers attended the scene, where they arrested a suspect and took him for questioning. Police were also understood to be searching the man’s vehicle for any sign of a weapon.

A spokesman for the force said: “Officers were called to Wolferton shortly after 7.30pm on Wednesday following a report that 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.”

The incident took place close to Marsh Farm, the property on the Sandringham Estate to which Mountbatten-Windsor relocated after leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor last year.

It is understood that the former duke was left shaken and was asked to provide a statement, as was his personal protection officer.

There have been concerns that he could be exposed to more security threats since moving to the rural location.

The King withdrew his younger brother’s personal allowance and private security provision in 2024 as he attempted to force his removal from Royal Lodge.

Since Mountbatten-Windsor agreed to vacate the property late last year and relocate to the Sandringham estate, security has been a critical concern.

The Norfolk estate is largely open to the public and affords the former duke none of the protections he enjoyed when within the wider royal security cordon at Windsor.

At the beginning of April, a man and a woman reportedly scaled the exterior gate at Marsh Farm and were spotted standing on wooden barriers as they peered over a fence in front of the farmhouse.

They drove off when Mountbatten-Windsor’s security detail reacted.

The disgraced royal is said to have erected a substantial white mobile home in the grounds of his new Norfolk residence as temporary accommodation for security personnel.

Earlier this year, workmen installed a six-foot perimeter fence and CCTV cameras to enhance security and privacy at the property. A no-fly zone covering the Sandringham Estate was also extended to encompass Marsh Farm.

Mountbatten-Windsor has not been seen in public since he was photographed in the back of a car following his release from police custody in February. He remains under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

He is known to take a daily solitary dog walk around his new grounds.

A source said: “This shows why Andrew’s security provisions need to be proportionate and properly balanced for an individual with a very high profile. Surely this demonstrates why his security should be reviewed.”

The Telegraph, London

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