Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seeking to quash warrants used in police searches.
Why it matters: The judicial review will examine how police obtained and executed warrants involving a prominent public figure. It does not determine whether the underlying misconduct allegations are true.
- A High Court judge granted permission to challenge Thames Valley Police's searches.
- The searches took place at Wood Farm in Norfolk and Royal Lodge in Berkshire.
- Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19, 2026, and released under investigation.
- A private hearing is scheduled for October 8 before Mr Justice Hilliard.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has filed a High Court claim seeking to quash search warrants used by Thames Valley Police in an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. The court has granted permission for him to challenge whether the searches were lawful, according to the Associated Press.
The challenge concerns searches at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk and at Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, The Guardian reported.
The legal action follows his February 19 arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police said the investigation involves allegations that he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy. Thames Valley Police said he was released under investigation and that two addresses had been searched.
The underlying investigation remains active and involves coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Crown Prosecution Service, according to a police update.
The judicial review will focus on the warrants and searches, not directly on Mountbatten-Windsor's guilt. Under section 8 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, a warrant may be issued when a justice is satisfied that an indictable offence has been committed and that relevant material of substantial value is on specified premises. PACE guidance says applications must be made in writing and explain why the search is necessary.
A private hearing on October 8 is expected initially to consider whether documents in the proceedings should be released. The precise grounds of challenge and the material sought by police have not been made public.
By the numbers
- February 19, 2026 - Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested and the searches took place
- 2 addresses - one in Norfolk and one in Berkshire were searched
- October 8, 2026 - date scheduled for the private High Court hearing
Yes, but: The court has not ruled on the merits, and the precise grounds of challenge, warrant applications and any material seized remain undisclosed.
What's next: The High Court hearing on October 8 is expected to address the release of documents. Thames Valley Police's underlying investigation remains ongoing.