ANDREW MOUNTBATTEN-WINDSOR CHALLENGES SEARCH WARRANTS OVER EPSTEIN LINKS

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched a High Court challenge to quash search warrants obtained by Thames Valley Police before his arrest, the judiciary confirmed on Monday. A London court is expected to hold a private hearing on Thursday. The challenge concerns police searches of his former homes on royal estates, including Sandringham in eastern England and Royal Lodge in Windsor. The judiciary's press office said the case involves a judicial review of warrants issued by a judge at the Central Criminal Court on 18 February 2026. Thames Valley Police said its investigation into misconduct in public office continues and declined to comment further.

Police arrested Mountbatten-Windsor on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following allegations that he shared sensitive information with the late Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK's trade envoy. He was released later that day but remains under investigation, and has denied any wrongdoing. He was stripped of his royal titles last year over his links to Epstein, who died in a New York prison in August 2019. One report said the arrest took place on his birthday.

The judiciary said Thursday's hearing will also deal with an application by Thames Valley Police to restrict access to court documents in the case. One report said Mountbatten-Windsor's legal team wants to establish whether the warrants, granted at London's Old Bailey, were lawful. His legal team did not respond to a request for comment. The same report said the challenge is believed to be the first time a royal family member has disputed the lawfulness of criminal proceedings against them since the trial of Charles I in 1649. Mountbatten-Windsor is the brother of King Charles III.