David James Cooke, the man who sent Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway a card "asking for friendship," has been arrested just moments after he appeared in court over stalking charges. The 63-year-old was handed an apprehended violence order (AVO) at Newtown Local Court on Wednesday, which banned him from contacting the 22-year-old royal or anyone she has a domestic relationship with, including her parents and siblings.
However, shortly after the court appearance, Cooke was arrested outside the Courthouse Hotel following an altercation with a Daily Telegraph photographer. He was escorted by officers to Newtown police station, where journalists reportedly heard him yelling from inside an interview room.
A police spokesperson confirmed the arrest to Daily Mail, stating: "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."
The incident follows Cooke's denial of stalking allegations. He told the court he was merely "asking for friendship" from the Norwegian royal via a letter sent to her residence at the University of Sydney. "I did not intentionally upset her in any way and wouldn't do so," Cooke told journalists. "She's a nice person. I bumped into her at an event and followed up with a card." He added that he "suggested some events she might be interested in" in the written correspondence, which he claimed "wasn't threatening in any way."
Cooke, a resident of Glebe, consented to the restraining order without admissions while representing himself in court. He has not been charged with a criminal offence.
This week, Princess Ingrid Alexandra reportedly "cut her bachelor's degree at the University of Sydney short" to return home to Norway, as reported by Daily Mail. The royal has already flown out of Australia to be with her mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who is "gravely ill" with pulmonary fibrosis, a debilitating lung disease affecting breathing. The condition impacts around 13 to 20 per 100,000 people globally.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra's father, Crown Prince Haakon, has also flown home to be by his wife's side as her health declines, cutting short his official visit to Japan. Speaking to Norwegian media about his daughter's decision to return home, the heir apparent said on Monday: "It has to do with the family situation. She wants to be with her mother." He added that Princess Ingrid Alexandra "has plans to complete her studies in Australia," but "how long she will stay home, we will have to come back to that."
