Royal household members alarmed as court convicts man over 'unsettling' contact
A member of the royal family, known as a trusted ally of King Charles III, has been caught up in a troubling harassment case that has caused concern within the royal household.
Zenouska Mowatt — granddaughter of Princess Alexandra and 59th in line to the throne — was among several individuals harassed by 31-year-old Jack Lyons, who has now been convicted at the City of London Magistrates’ Court. Mowatt, along with Alastair Todd (chief adviser to the Duke of Gloucester), his assistant Chelsea Pearce, and royal programme coordinator Jemima Hobbs, were all targeted by Lyons.
The harassment included persistent Instagram messages, repeated phone calls, emails, and even an in-person appearance by Lyons at Kensington Palace, where he falsely claimed to have a meeting with the Duke of Gloucester.
Mowatt described Lyons' online behaviour as “unnerving” and “unsettling.” After blocking him on Instagram, she was dismayed to see him follow her again within a day. “I was unnerved and upset,” she testified. Judge Michael Snow concluded the conduct was clearly designed to cause distress.
Other victims recounted a series of aggressive calls and unwanted digital contact. Pearce, who received multiple calls in quick succession from different numbers, said, “It is, in my eyes, harassment and very unsettling… it could be potentially threatening.”
The court heard Lyons was attempting to reach the Duke of Gloucester regarding a music copyright issue. His repeated attempts, however, crossed legal lines, with Judge Snow affirming the victims had been left alarmed and distressed.
The incident has raised fresh concerns within Buckingham Palace over the safety and well-being of staff and extended royal family members.
