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  "path": "/royal/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-believes-entitled-taxpayer-funded-security",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-17T09:33:08.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "has instead relied on private protection",
    "allegedly confronted by a \"balaclava-clad\" man near his Sandringham Estate home.",
    "Alex Jenkinson, 39, has been charged",
    "pleaded not guilty earlier this month.",
    "Prince William's secret five-word message to Pep Guardiola after FA Cup triumph",
    "Armed police accused of SLEEPING instead of guarding King at Windsor Castle",
    "Meghan Markle shares adorable new photograph with 'mama's little helper' Princess Lilibet",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor has \"always believed he is entitled to taxpayer-funded security\", a royal commentator has claimed.\n\nSince 2019, the former prince has not been provided security courtesy of the taxpayer and has instead relied on private protection.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSeven years ago, he was told to step down from his royal duties by the late Queen Elizabeth II, following his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.\n\nHe has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding Epstein.\n\nIt is believed the private bodyguards he now employs are former close protection officers of the Metropolitan Police – the team who would protect Andrew if he still received taxpayer-funded security.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHowever, they are not armed, nor do they receive intelligence\n\nGB News understands the King makes a lump sum to cover his brother's expenses, including security protection, although it is up to Andrew how the finances are allocated.\n\nThe situation regarding the late Queen's son was exacerbated recently, when he was allegedly confronted by a \"balaclava-clad\" man near his Sandringham Estate home.\n\nThe incident reportedly unfolded at approximately 7.30pm, as the former Duke of York had been walking his dogs.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAccording to The Telegraph, the suspect was said to be approximately 50 yards from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor when the alleged threat occurred.\n\nThe suspect, Alex Jenkinson, 39, has been charged with two counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to harass someone or cause alarm or distress.\n\nHe pleaded not guilty earlier this month.\n\nRoyal commentator Rafe Haydel-Mankoo told GB News Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's current security predicament leaves the Royal Family in \"an extremely uncomfortable position\".\n\n### LATEST ROYAL NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Prince William's secret five-word message to Pep Guardiola after FA Cup triumph\n  * Armed police accused of SLEEPING instead of guarding King at Windsor Castle\n  * Meghan Markle shares adorable new photograph with 'mama's little helper' Princess Lilibet\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"This situation is that it intersects family loyalty, public outrage, and then you've got the survival of the monarchy, so you have three competing elements there,\" he told the People's Channel.\n\n\"It's clear that His Majesty and the rest of the Royal Family care about their brother, their uncle, their cousin.\n\n\"Despite everything that's happened, he is part of their family, and there's obviously always going to be concern for his well-being and for his security.\n\n\"But at the same time, the monarchy has to be protected, and he understands.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Haydel-Mankoo said Mr Mountbatten-Windsor \"cannot be completely ostracised\" and has been \"kept at arm's length\" by the King, who ordered him to leave Royal Lodge, his Berkshire residence of more than 20 years.\n\nHowever, rather concerningly, he claims Andrew remains dumbfounded as to why he does not have the same entitlements as the rest of the family.\n\n\"Andrew's always believed that he's entitled to taxpayer-funded security and his titles and everything else,\" Mr Haydel-Mankoo added. \"It doesn't appear that he still understands quite why he's in the position he is in.\n\n\"But it's quite clear that from the perspective of the Royal Family and for the monarchy, the privileges of protection are inseparable from public service and public legitimacy – and he's lost both of those.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor still believes he is 'entitled to taxpayer-funded security'"
}