Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched legal action against Thames Valley Police over the search warrants used to raid two royal properties following his arrest in February.
The former Duke of York is seeking a judicial review to determine whether the warrants authorising searches at his residence on the Sandringham estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge, were lawful.
A High Court judge has reportedly granted him permission to pursue the challenge.
The legal action relates specifically to the search warrants rather than the allegations at the centre of the continuing police investigation.
High Court approves legal challenge
Andrew’s lawyers reportedly applied for permission to bring the judicial review earlier this year.
The warrants were issued by an Old Bailey judge following an application from Thames Valley Police.
Detectives subsequently spent several days searching the properties and reportedly removed documents and other items as part of their investigation.
A private High Court hearing is expected to take place in the coming days to decide whether certain documents connected to the judicial review should be released.
Andrew’s legal team is seeking to establish whether police and the court followed the correct legal procedures when obtaining and executing the warrants.
Permission to pursue a judicial review does not mean the High Court has ruled that the searches were unlawful. It allows Andrew’s lawyers to present their challenge for judicial consideration.
Andrew arrested on 66th birthday
Andrew was arrested at his residence on the Sandringham estate on 19 February, his 66th birthday.
He was taken to Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk and questioned for nearly 12 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Police later released him under investigation. He has not been charged with an offence.
Thames Valley Police also searched Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, where Andrew had previously lived, and another property in Norfolk.
The force said in February that its investigation remained ongoing and asked for time and space to complete its work.
Investigation connected to Epstein files
The misconduct investigation followed the publication of documents concerning Andrew’s previous relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The allegations reportedly relate to Andrew’s period as the United Kingdom’s special representative for international trade and investment between 2001 and 2011.
Authorities are examining claims that he may have shared sensitive government or diplomatic information with Epstein while holding the public position.
Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing relating to Epstein and the other allegations made against him.
In May, Thames Valley Police said it was also examining allegations of sexual misconduct. Andrew has denied all accusations of sexual wrongdoing.
No criminal charges have been brought against him in connection with the investigation.
Unusual royal court challenge
The legal action represents an extremely unusual confrontation between a member of the Royal Family and a British police force.
Reports have described it as the first challenge of its kind involving a senior royal for centuries.
The judicial review will focus on the lawfulness of the warrants and will not determine Andrew’s guilt or innocence in relation to the underlying police investigation.
Neither Thames Valley Police nor Buckingham Palace had issued a detailed public response to the judicial review at the time of publication.
Andrew remains under investigation while the High Court proceedings continue.
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