Former Prince Andrew files a legal action to quash warrants that led to
searches of his residences
[October 06, 2026]
By DANICA KIRKA
LONDON (AP) — Former Prince Andrew has filed a legal action challenging
the warrants that authorized searches at two of his homes earlier this
year as British police investigated allegations related to his links to
the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A judicial spokesperson confirmed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had
filed a claim with the High Court in London, and a hearing is scheduled
for Thursday.
The Daily Telegraph previously reported that Mountbatten-Windsor had
asked the court to determine whether Thames Valley Police acted lawfully
in searching the former prince's homes near Windsor Castle and on King
Charles III's Sandringham estate.
If the court were to find in Mountbatten-Windsor's favor, it could
prevent authorities from using evidence discovered during the searches
in any prosecution of the former prince, attorney Mark Stephens said.
Stephens, of the Howard Kennedy firm in London, described the hearing as
a preliminary skirmish in the broader legal battle.
“I think the most important thing to take away from this is it shows
that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his lawyers are taking this search
warrant and the potential for charges extremely seriously,” he told The
Associated Press. “And I think that telegraphs that perhaps there’s more
of this to come. And perhaps charges will be preferred down the road.”
The searches were conducted in February when Mountbatten-Windsor was
arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after allegations
that the former prince shared sensitive information with Epstein during
his time as the U.K.’s trade envoy.
Police questioned Mountbatten-Windsor for 11 hours before releasing him
under investigation, meaning he was neither charged nor exonerated.
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It was the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior British
royal was placed under arrest, underscoring how deference to the
monarchy has eroded in recent years.
Thames Valley Police said Monday that its investigation was
continuing, even as it confirmed that the department was involved in
legal proceedings about the search warrants. A department
spokesperson declined further comment while those proceedings are
underway.
The allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor came to light when the
U.S. Justice Department released millions of pages of documents from
its investigation into sex trafficking by Epstein and his
connections to a network of wealthy, powerful men around the world.
Mountbatten-Windsor's relationship with Epstein has been a source of
embarrassment to the royal family for more than a decade and forced
him to give up royal duties in 2019.
But as further revelations began to leak out of the U.S.
investigation last year, the king moved to insulate the monarchy
from the fallout by stripping his younger brother of his princely
title.
After Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested, Charles departed from the
“never complain, never explain” approach of his late mother, Queen
Elizabeth II, and took the unusual step of issuing a statement on
the investigation.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,’’ he said at
the time. “As this process continues, it would not be right for me
to comment further on this matter.’’
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