A 63-year-old man has been ordered to stay away from Norway's Princess Ingrid Alexander for two years after sending her a card. The Apprehended Violence Order was issued at Newtown Courthouse in Sydney on Wednesday.
David James Cook is prohibited from entering the University of Sydney campus, searching for the 22-year-old royal online, or contacting her or her family. The order is intended to prevent harassment or intimidation.
Cook told reporters the order stemmed from a card he sent to the princess, who is second in line to the Norwegian throne. “I sent her a card just asking for friendship, that’s all,” he said. “I did not intentionally upset her in any way.”
After his court appearance, Cook was charged with assaulting a news photographer, who suffered minor injuries. He was released on bail and will appear in court again on July 17.
Princess Ingrid has been studying international relations at the University of Sydney since last year. She recently left Australia to visit her seriously ill mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, in Norway.
