Ex-Prince Andrew Pursues Legal Action Over February Arrest
The former royal is challenging the lawfulness of his detention and home search warrants.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has initiated legal proceedings, filing for a judicial review to challenge the legality of his arrest and the subsequent search warrants executed at his properties in February. The former prince's legal team is questioning whether the actions taken by Thames Valley Police were lawful.
Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office and accused of transmitting confidential trade documents to Jeffrey Epstein. According to reports, a High Court judge has granted permission for the judicial review, with a private hearing scheduled to determine the release of related legal documents.
The arrest occurred on February 19 at Mountbatten-Windsor's residence on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England. He was taken to Aylsham Police Station, where he was held for approximately 11 hours. During his detention, his mugshot and fingerprints were taken, and he was required to provide a saliva sample. Simultaneously, police conducted searches at the Sandringham Estate and his former home, the Royal Lodge, while Mountbatten-Windsor was in custody.
A senior insider from the Metropolitan Police reportedly expressed surprise at the arrest, questioning why Mountbatten-Windsor was not initially invited for questioning. The former royal's legal action seeks to clarify the circumstances surrounding his detention and the validity of the search warrants.
King Charles III issued a statement following the arrest, expressing his "deepest concern" and affirming support for a "full, fair and proper process" to investigate the allegations. "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," the King stated.
Mountbatten-Windsor is accused of sending Epstein reports concerning his 2010 trips to Singapore and Vietnam. These actions allegedly occurred during his tenure as the Special Representative for International Trade, a role he held from 2001 to 2011. If convicted of misconduct in public office, he could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He stepped down from royal duties in 2019 amidst ongoing scrutiny related to his association with Epstein, who died in prison in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. In 2022, Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his honorary military titles and royal patronages. He also faced accusations of sexual abuse from Virginia Giuffre in 2021, a claim he denied. A settlement was reached between Giuffre and Mountbatten-Windsor prior to Giuffre's death in April 2025.