Police accept Andrew search warrants were unlawful, court hears
A High Court judge has quashed search warrants used by Thames Valley Police to raid Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes in February 2026, as the police accepted the warrants were issued unlawfully. The investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor's alleged misconduct in public office continues, but the ruling is a significant development in the case. The police have retained material seized from his homes. Mountbatten-Windsor is taking legal action against the police.
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- ✓ The search warrants used to raid Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes were unlawful.
- ✓ Thames Valley Police accepted that the search warrants were issued unlawfully.
- ✓ The investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's alleged misconduct in public office continues.
- ✓ The police have retained material seized from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes.
What changed
The police's acceptance of the unlawfulness of the search warrants and the High Court's quashing of the warrants mark a significant development in the case.
Live updates
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Police admit search warrants for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes were unlawful
A High Court judge has quashed search warrants used by Thames Valley Police to raid Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes in February 2026, as the police accepted the warrants were issued unlawfully. The investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor's alleged misconduct in public office continues, but the ruling is a significant development in the case. The police have retained material seized from his homes. Mountbatten-Windsor is taking legal action against the police.
Why it matters
The case involves Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, also known as Prince Andrew, who was arrested in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest and searches were part of an investigation into his alleged involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. The police's admission that the search warrants were unlawful may impact the investigation and any potential charges.
What is confirmed
- The search warrants used to raid Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes were unlawful.
- Thames Valley Police accepted that the search warrants were issued unlawfully.
- The investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's alleged misconduct in public office continues.
- The police have retained material seized from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes.
What to watch next
- The outcome of the investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's alleged misconduct in public office
- The decision on whether police can keep the material seized from Mountbatten-Windsor's homes
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (18)
- The Telegraph — Andrew police raids were unlawful, court rules
- BBC — Police accept Andrew search warrants were unlawful, court hears
- Los Angeles Times — Judge says search warrants used to seize property from former Prince Andrew were unlawful
- The Guardian — Search warrants used in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor raids were unlawful, court rules
- Bloomberg.com — Warrants to Raid Former Prince Andrew Were Unlawful, Court Says
- Reuters — Ex-prince Andrew search warrants quashed after police accept legal error
- www.bbc.co.uk — Andrew takes legal action over search warrants relating to arrest - BBC
- www.bbc.com — Warrants used to search Andrew's homes were unlawful, court says
- www.abc.net.au — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wins court battle to have UK police search warrants quashed - ABC News
- www.theguardian.com — Search warrants used in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor raids were unlawful, court rules
- www.gbnews.com — Thames Valley Police admits its search warrants were unlawful as force reaches agreement with Andrew - GB....
- cyprus-mail.com — Ex-prince Andrew search warrants quashed after police accept legal error | Cyprus Mail
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