Prince Andrew challenges police search warrants in Epstein case

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York and brother of King Charles III, has filed a judicial review challenging the legality of search warrants used by Thames Valley Police during his arrest in February 2026. The warrants authorized searches of his homes at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and Royal Lodge in Windsor. A High Court judge approved his application for judicial review, with a private hearing scheduled for Thursday to determine whether court documents should be made public.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19, 2026—his 66th birthday—on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was questioned for approximately 11 to 12 hours before being released under investigation. No charges have been filed. The arrest followed allegations that he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his decade as UK trade envoy, based on documents released by the U.S. Justice Department related to its sex trafficking investigation.

The judicial review specifically challenges whether Thames Valley Police acted lawfully in obtaining the search warrants from the Central Criminal Court. Police confirmed to media outlets that they are engaged in legal proceedings relating to the warrants but declined to comment further while proceedings are ongoing.

Mountbatten-Windsor became the first senior British royal to be arrested in nearly four centuries. His association with Epstein has shadowed the royal family for over a decade. In 2025, King Charles stripped his brother of his title as prince and his dukedom following public outcry, particularly after the release of a memoir by Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser who alleged misconduct by the former prince. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied all allegations and stated he never witnessed or suspected Epstein's criminal behavior. He relinquished official royal duties in 2019 following a controversial BBC interview about his friendship with Epstein.