Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor threatened at Sandringham home by ‘balaclava-clad’ armed man
Disgraced ex-Prince Andrew was approached by a masked man at his home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Police said a man has been arrested for possession of an offensive weapon
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: Arrest made after man allegedly threatened former Prince
A balaclava-clad man allegedly wielding a weapon has been arrested after coming within yards of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The alleged incident occurred around 7.30pm on Wednesday near the former Duke of York’s new home on Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, while he was out walking his dogs.
A source said Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was about to get into his car, accompanied by a single private security officer, when the suspect spotted him.
Andrew rushed to his car after being confronted(Image: Bav Media)
The man is understood to have jumped out of a vehicle around 50 yards away and begun charging at the former royal down the narrow country lane while shouting at him.
He is said to come within a few meters of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s car while still screaming in a threatening manner. The ex-prince’s vehicle then sped away with the suspect in pursuit on foot, the source said.
It is understood the former royal was left shaken by the incident but did not suffer any injuries.
Police were called and the man was arrested at the scene and taken away for questioning.
A police spokeswoman confirmed that the incident is not being treated as terror related. It is understood that one line of inquiry is that the suspect is a fixated individual.
The incident happened close to Marsh Farm, the new home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (Image: Bav Media)
Statements were taken from witnesses, including the former Duke of York and his personal protection officer.
A spokesman for Norfolk Police 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 disgraced ex-Duke lost his rights to state-funded police protection when he was stripped of his royal title, His Royal Highness HRH in 2022 during a civil case with Virginia Giuffre, which he paid millions of pounds to settle but admitted no wrongdoing in.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied having sex with Ms Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked to the UK by the late millionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein, who died while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, maintained an extensive network of contacts across the worlds of business, politics and royalty, including the former Duke.
According to Westminster Security, a private security firm founded by a former Royal Military Police close protection officer, in 2022 Andrew was “no longer entitled to royal protection” from the UK’s Royalty and Specialist Protection RASP when he stepped back from performing public duties.
Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home in the grounds of Windsor Great Park, close to Windsor Castle, was behind a “ring of steel” .
As Sandringham is a private estate and not one of the official residences of the Royal Family, Andrew is protected by security Charles has put in place after inheriting it from the late Queen. Sandringham has limited public access and Mountbatten-Windsor’s home sits in a 20,000 acre estate.
Flight restrictions were introduced to cover the area after a request by security services. It came after drones were spotted flying over the estate, sparking a security scare as the King hosted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
The former prince Andrew pays for private security out of the allowance given to him by the King to meet his living expenses at Marsh Farm. The Sandringham estate is guarded separately with direct links to Norfolk constabulary.A royal source said: “The King makes a lump sum financial provision to cover Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s living expenses, which includes private security protection, but it is up to him how that sum is allocated or utilised.”
