Court Rules Warrants in Ex-Prince Andrew Home Raids Were Unlawful
A British court has ruled that the search warrants police used to raid two homes belonging to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, were unlawful.
Mr Justice Hilliard quashed the warrants at the High Court in London on Thursday after Thames Valley Police admitted they had been obtained under the wrong law. The ruling is a rare legal win for King Charles III's younger brother, who remains under criminal investigation.
What the Court Decided
An Old Bailey judge issued the warrants on February 18. The next day, Andrew's 66th birthday, he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Officers then searched his home on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, seizing documents and electronic devices.
Andrew challenged the searches through a judicial review against Thames Valley Police and the Central Criminal Court. He alleged officers took items "unconnected to the criminal investigation," according to The News.
The judge found that police should have applied under a different section of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. The section they used requires reasonable grounds to believe that the material sought does not include legally privileged or other specially protected material. In this case, that kind of material was expected and was likely to be in Andrew's possession, the judge said, AOL reported.
The challenge is believed to be the first time a member of the royal family has contested the lawfulness of criminal proceedings since the trial of King Charles I in 1649.
The Investigation Continues
The ruling does not end the case. The judge noted that quashing the warrants "does not bring an investigation to an end," and the seized material does not have to be returned right away.
Police have applied to keep the property under a different legal provision. Andrew opposes that request, and it will be heard next year.
Thames Valley Police said its agreement to quash the warrants "relates specifically to a decision made by the court" and is not a judgment on the investigation itself. The force said its inquiry into "alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk" is ongoing.
Police are also discussing the strength of the case with the Crown Prosecution Service. Nick Vamos, a former head of special crime at the CPS, said he expects the court to let officers keep the material, or at least the items they could have seized lawfully.
The Epstein Connection
The investigation stems from documents released in the Epstein files. The material suggests Andrew shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.
That reportedly included reports on official visits to Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Vietnam, along with a confidential briefing on investment opportunities in Afghanistan. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in a New York jail in 2019.
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing. He was released after questioning in February and has not been charged.
What It Means for Andrew
A friend of the former prince told The Sun that Andrew sees the ruling as "the first step" toward getting his seized belongings back and eventually clearing his name.
The case comes after a dramatic fall from grace. Andrew was stripped of his prince title and HRH style in November 2025 and later moved out of Royal Lodge. Despite all that, he will reportedly still get a royal funeral when the time comes.
When Andrew was arrested, King Charles said he learned of the news "with the deepest concern" and that "the law must take its course." The King has said he will not comment further while the process continues.
Andrew receives an undisclosed annual allowance from the King's private funds. A palace source said that money should not be used to pay for his legal challenge.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.