Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
The High Court has declared search warrants used in raids on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s homes to be unlawful.
The former Duke of York had taken legal action against Thames Valley Police over the search warrants which allowed officers to raid both his former residence, Royal Lodge in Windsor, and his property on the Sandringham Estate in February, and on Thursday (08.10.26), a judge found they had not been lawfully issued when granted at the Old Bailey and should therefore be quashed.
Mr. Justice Hilliard said during a hearing at the Royal Court of Justice that Thames Valley Police accepted the warrants hadn’t been correctly granted when they were issued the day before the ex-prince was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
However, he stressed the ruling didn’t mean material taken from Andrew’s homes had to be returned to him immediately because of the ongoing criminal investigation.
He said: “The fact that the search warrants were quashed does not bring an investigation to an end, or mean that the whole of the investigation was unlawful.”
Thames Valley Police said its investigation into “alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk remains ongoing”.
Andrew’s action marked the first time a member of the royal family has made such a challenge over the lawfulness of criminal proceedings since Charles I’s trial in 1649.
The suspicion of misconduct in public office allegation relates to material in the Epstein Files which suggested the former prince – who was formally stripped of his Prince title and HRH style in November 2025 because of the scandal – had shared sensitive information with financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
It was alleged that when Andrew served as the UK’s trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, he had forwarded reports to Epstein about his visits to Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Vietnam, as well as sending him a confidential briefing note on investment opportunities in Afghanistan.
Following Andrew’s arrest, King Charles, his older brother, subsequently insisted that the “law must take its course”.
The 77-year-old monarch said in a statement: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.
“As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Oliver Wright, the Assistant Chief Constable at Thames Valley Police, also released a statement.
He said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.
