Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor sues Thames Valley Police over Epstein files arrest warrants

Judicial review of police warrants

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has initiated a formal legal challenge against Thames Valley Police, asking the High Court to determine whether the force acted within the law during his detention and property searches. A High Court judge granted permission for the judicial review following an application filed by Mountbatten-Windsor earlier this year. His legal team is contesting the validity of search warrants that were originally authorized by a judge at the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey upon the request of Thames Valley detectives. The legal team contends that the basis for the searches lacked proper lawful authority. In the coming days, the High Court will hold a private hearing behind closed doors to decide whether certain court records related to the case can be disclosed publicly.

Circumstances of the February arrest

Police officers detained Mountbatten-Windsor in February 2026 at his Marsh Farm residence, situated on the royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, on the day of his 66th birthday. Following the arrest, officers transported him approximately 64 kilometres to the Aylsham police station for formal questioning. Detectives from Thames Valley Police interrogated him for nearly 12 hours throughout the day regarding suspected misconduct in public office. While authorities released him after questioning concluded, he remains subject to an active criminal investigation. Search teams subsequently spent several days conducting intensive searches at Marsh Farm as well as his previous residence, Royal Lodge in Windsor, removing documents, electronic media, and other items for forensic analysis.

Scope of the Epstein files inquiry

The police investigation follows the release of files by the United States Department of Justice concerning the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Detectives are examining allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor disclosed sensitive state materials to Epstein while serving as the United Kingdom's special representative for international trade between 2001 and 2011. The materials in question include official travel reports from his government missions to Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and China. Furthermore, the inquiry is reviewing allegations that he shared a confidential briefing note detailing commercial and investment prospects in Helmand province in Afghanistan. The investigation focuses on the common law offense of misconduct in public office, which targets public officials who unlawfully abuse their official powers.

Title removal and background

Mountbatten-Windsor, the second son of Queen Elizabeth, has consistently denied all criminal wrongdoing regarding Epstein while stating that he regrets their personal association. His connection with Epstein led to his withdrawal from official royal duties in 2019. In October 2025, King Charles stripped his younger brother of his royal styles, honours, and the Duke of York title following additional disclosures about the relationship. Neither Buckingham Palace nor Thames Valley Police issued immediate statements in response to requests for comment regarding the judicial review. The High Court will now evaluate the legality of the warrant applications while the underlying police inquiry into the trade documents continues.