Former prince Andrew takes police to court over house raids

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been granted permission to take Thames Valley Police to court, challenging the legality of the police raids on his homes that followed his arrest earlier this year.

The former Duke of York is mounting a legal challenge against the search warrants used by officers to search his property on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge. A UK High Court judge recently approved his application for a judicial review, which was quietly filed earlier this year, according to a report by the Daily Telegraph.

The searches were carried out in connection with his arrest in February, which occurred on his 66th birthday. Police arrested him on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following allegations that he shared sensitive official information with Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as the UK’s trade envoy. Andrew served in the role of special representative for international trade and investment for a decade, a position that gave him access to government officials and sensitive economic briefings.

A private High Court hearing is scheduled to take place within the coming days. This hearing will decide whether the court will release certain documents related to the judicial review.

A judicial review does not determine guilt or innocence regarding the underlying criminal allegations. Instead, it focuses on whether a public body—in this case, Thames Valley Police—followed correct legal procedures and acted lawfully when applying for and executing the search warrants. Under English law, if a court rules that search warrants were obtained or executed unlawfully, it can have significant implications for how any evidence gathered during those raids can be used by investigators in any potential future prosecution.

The legal action represents a direct and highly unusual challenge to the police by the King's brother. Late last year, King Charles stripped Andrew of both his right to use the title of prince and his dukedom, following years of intense controversy over his association with Epstein, the American financier who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The move forced the former prince to use the surname Mountbatten-Windsor in his private and legal affairs.

Thames Valley Police has not commented on the legal challenge. Representatives for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have also been approached for comment but have not yet issued a statement.