Britain's former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has launched a legal challenge against Thames Valley Police over search warrants obtained for his homes on royal estates. The 66-year-old, arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his links to US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is to have a private hearing at the High Court on Thursday. The hearing concerns his application for a judicial review to quash the search warrants.
Prince Andrew's legal challenge is the first time a member of Britain's royal family has questioned the lawfulness of criminal proceedings against them since the trial of Charles I in 1649. According to The Daily Telegraph, his legal team wants to examine whether the search warrants granted by a judge at London's Old Bailey court were lawful. The search warrants were issued on February 18, 2026, and police searched Andrew's home at Sandringham royal estate and his former Royal Lodge residence in Windsor.
The judiciary confirmed that the High Court will hold a private hearing on Thursday to consider Prince Andrew's application. In a statement, the judiciary's press office said the case concerns an application by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for a judicial review to quash search warrants issued by a judge at the Central Criminal Court. The police force said it was engaged in legal proceedings related to the warrants but would not comment further while the investigation continues.
Prince Andrew was arrested on his birthday, February 19, and released later that day while remaining under investigation. He has denied all wrongdoing related to his links to Epstein. The arrest and police searches marked a new low point for the disgraced ex-prince, who was stripped of his royal titles last year over his connections to Epstein.
New revelations from documents related to Epstein, released by the United States earlier this year, included emails in which Andrew appeared to share potentially confidential information with him. The documents were part of a larger release of information related to Epstein's case. Prince Andrew's connections to Epstein have been a subject of controversy for several years.
The High Court hearing on Thursday will also consider an application by Thames Valley Police to restrict access to court documents in the matter. The police force said it would be inappropriate to comment further while the legal proceedings are ongoing. Prince Andrew's legal team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The outcome of the High Court hearing may have implications for Prince Andrew's ongoing investigation for misconduct in public office. The investigation by Thames Valley Police is continuing, and the force has not commented on when it expects to conclude its inquiries.
Key points
- Prince Andrew challenges search warrants in High Court
- First royal family member to challenge criminal proceedings since 1649
- Investigation into misconduct in public office continues
