Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway‘s alleged stalker was arrested outside the court on Wednesday. The 22-year-old has returned to Norway from Australia after learning that her mother’s health had deteriorated.
His arrest came moments after he was handed an apprehended violence order (AVO). David James Cooke is known to have sent a card to the Crown Princess “asking for friendship”, with the 63-year-old now having been banned from contacting her or anyone that she has a domestic relationship with – including her parents and siblings.
He was arrested yesterday outside the Courthouse Hotel after being involved in an altercation with a Daily Telegraph photographer.
A police spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Mail that the man had been arrested. They said: “About 10.20am today, officers from Inner West Police Area Command arrested a 63-year-old man after allegedly assaulting a cameraman outside Newtown Local Court.”
Speaking after his court appearance, Mr Cooke said: “I did not intentionally upset her in any way and wouldn’t do so. She’s a nice person. I bumped into her at an event and followed up with a card.”
Mr Cooke added that he “suggested some events she might be interested in” in the written correspondence, which he says “wasn’t threatening in any way”.
He has not been charged with a criminal offence.
The 22-year-old has been studying international relations and political economy at the University of Sydney since last year.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is known to have an incurable lung disease, and her condition has deteriorated over recent months. Speaking of his daughter earlier this week, Crown Prince Haakon said: “She wants to come home soon, and it’s to do with our family situation.”
He told Norwegian journalists on the sidelines of a three-day official visit to Japan: “She would like to be with her mother.”