Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was expected to emerge from his royal exile on Wednesday for a court trial regarding a confrontation near his Norfolk home in May. However, the disgraced royal now won't appear in court for another five months.
Alex Jenkinson, 39, was arrested in May for possession of an offensive weapon after 'threatening' and 'chasing' the former Duke of York on a dog walk. The man was taken in for questioning and pleaded not guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intent to cause fear or provoke violence.
The trial was originally scheduled for 29 July, with the disgraced former Duke of York expected to break his cover to give evidence in court remotely via a video link. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring delayed the hearing this morning until December due to concerns over the accused's mental health.
What happened during the confrontation?
© Getty ImagesAndrew was walking his dogs near his home on King Charles' Sandringham Estate in Norfolk when he was allegedly approached and shouted at by the man. The former Duke of York was accompanied by his private security detail as he got in his car and drove away, allegedly being chased by the man.
The former Duke of York was apparently left "shaken" from the ordeal and reportedly requested to have his taxpayer-funded security reinstated, according to The Telegraph. Andrew's publicly funded protection was withdrawn in 2022, three years after he stepped down as a working royal.
A spokesperson from Norfolk Police told HELLO!: "Officers were called to Wolferton shortly after 7.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 6 May 2026) following a report 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."
Andrew's living situation
© UK Press via Getty ImagesAfter being stripped of his remaining royal titles last year, Andrew, who was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in February, was evicted from Royal Lodge in Windsor and relocated to his brother King Charles' Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Since moving to Marsh Farm in April, the disgraced royal has kept a very low profile, occasionally being seen on solitary drives and dog walks around the estate.
Extra security measures were taken ahead of Andrew's move over Easter, with an electric fence and a six-foot-tall wooden fence erected surrounding the Norfolk property.
Andrew stopped receiving taxpayer-funded protection in 2022. The former Duke of York relies on private security these days, which Dai Davies, former head of royal protection and a former divisional commander in the Metropolitan Police, told HELLO! in March is probably 24-hour cover.
