Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will likely feel "more resentful" about his banishment to Sandringham following an alleged threat near his new home, according to a royal expert. The former Duke of York was walking his dogs when a man reportedly approached his car in a threatening manner in Wolferton, close to his Marsh Farm property, shortly after 7:30pm on Wednesday.
On Friday, Alex Jenkinson, 39, pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence against the ex-prince.
The incident comes months after Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles and forced out of Royal Lodge following revelations in the Epstein files about his association with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. His new accommodation is privately funded by his brother, King Charles, and he uses an allowance from the King to pay for private security at Marsh Farm.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond commented: "I think Andrew will use this alleged incident to argue that he needs more security, funded by his brother the King… and he will probably feel even more resentful that he has been banished to the more public surroundings of Sandringham." She added: "This will obviously make Andrew more nervous about going out, but he does always appear to have at least one bodyguard with him — and the fact is, he escaped without harm. But this has proved that Mountbatten-Windsor is a target and needs security. And I don't think he will let the King forget it."
The incident also follows news that the Crown Prosecution Service is providing early investigative advice to police regarding Andrew's links to Epstein. The former duke was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his connections with the paedophile financier and was later released under investigation. He is accused of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy, which he vehemently denies.
Bond added: "This must have been a frightening experience which will have shocked Andrew and the rest of his family. I don't think we should wish this on anyone." She noted that lone protesters or stalkers have always been a danger to royals, referencing past incidents. "I imagine there may have been some communication, if not a direct conversation, between Charles and Andrew, and I can picture his other siblings picking up the phone to check that he's ok. He is, after all, still their brother."
