Former Prince Andrew files legal action to quash warrants that led to residence searches

Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has initiated a legal challenge at the High Court to have search warrants invalidated, as reported by the judiciary on Monday. The court is scheduled to hold a private hearing on Thursday to address the matter. Andrew, the 66-year-old brother of King Charles III, was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his association with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

He was released the same day but remains under investigation. The ex-prince categorically denies any wrongdoing.

Thames Valley Police arrested Andrew at his Sandringham estate in eastern England, conducting searches at both his home there and his former Royal Lodge residence in Windsor, west London. The Daily Telegraph broke the news of Andrew's legal challenge, stating it was the first time a member of Britain’s royal family had contested the legality of criminal proceedings against them since the trial of Charles I in 1649.

His legal team aims to probe the validity of the search warrants issued by a judge at London’s Old Bailey court, formally known as the Central Criminal Court, on February 18, 2026. The judiciary confirmed that the hearing on Thursday pertains to Andrew's request to review the legal proceedings and his legal team did not immediately comment on the matter.

The police force stated that while their investigation into the misconduct in public office continues, they are engaged in legal proceedings concerning the warrants granted by the Central Criminal Court. They are, however, unwilling to comment further due to the ongoing nature of the legal proceedings. The arrest and subsequent searches marked a significant low point for Andrew, who had his royal titles stripped last year over his ties to Epstein.

Recent revelations from documents concerning the American financier, released by the United States, included emails in which Andrew allegedly shared potentially confidential information with him.