High Court Rules Search Warrants Used in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Investigation Were Unlawful

Thames Valley Police has conceded that the search warrants utilized to raid properties belonging to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earlier this year were unlawful, the High Court heard on Thursday.

The former prince had launched a judicial review challenging the actions of the force's chief constable and the Central Criminal Court regarding warrants granted on February 18th. The following day, his 66th birthday, the former Duke of York was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and interviewed under caution before being released under investigation.

The criminal inquiry follows documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice alleging he forwarded sensitive, confidential material to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy in 2010. He continues to deny all allegations of wrongdoing.

During Thursday's hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, which Mountbatten-Windsor did not attend, Mr. Justice Hilliard confirmed that an "agreement was reached between the claimant and Thames Valley Police that the search warrants were unlawful".

Officers searched Mountbatten-Windsor's residence on the King's Sandringham estate in Norfolk as well as his former home at Royal Lodge in Windsor, seizing documents and electronic devices.

Under the conditions of the specific legislation used, the court had to be certain there were reasonable grounds to believe confidential business or role-related documents would not be seized. Thames Valley Police acknowledged that the judge issuing the warrants at the Old Bailey could not have been certain of those criteria, admitting they obtained the search powers under the wrong statutory provision.

Despite the ruling, Mr. Justice Hilliard emphasized that "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".

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police clarified that the decision was based strictly on the statutory choice made by the court rather than the validity of their broader investigation:

"On 22 July, the High Court quashed search warrants granted on 18 February 2026 for two properties in Norfolk and Berkshire that were searched as part of Thames Valley Police's ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk."

“The agreement that led to the quashing of the warrants relates specifically to a decision made by the court regarding the legal basis for these and is not a judgement on our ongoing investigation."

"We ensured the court was presented with all the necessary information and paperwork to inform their decision, following the correct legal processes throughout. We accept the position that the initial court's decision to issue warrants under the specific piece of legislation used was incorrect and therefore these must be legally quashed."

"Legal proceedings are currently ongoing to decide how material seized during the searches will be managed and whether we can lawfully retain it in support of our ongoing investigation."

"Our investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk remains ongoing, and we continue to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry to effectively and fairly progress this investigation."

"Due to these ongoing legal proceedings, we cannot currently provide further comment."

The force has submitted an application, which is scheduled to be heard next year, seeking to keep the seized property under alternative legal provisions.

King Charles stripped his brother of his royal titles and dukedom late last year due to his ties with Epstein. While Mountbatten-Windsor receives a private annual stipend from the King, palace sources noted that he was warned not to use those funds to cover the costs of his judicial review.