London judge rules police search warrants on former Prince Andrew unlawful

A London High Court judge has declared the search warrants used by Thames Valley Police to raid the residences of former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, unlawful. Justice Nicholas Hilliard said the police made a significant error in applying for the warrants, and the parties agreed to have them invalidated before the hearing on Thursday. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Feb. 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and his lawyers sought to have the warrants struck down, arguing the evidence was obtained improperly.

"It’s the first step of Prince Andrew and his lawyers saying, ‘Actually, this is tainted evidence. It was obtained inappropriately,’" said a solicitor from Howard Kennedy, describing the decision as a preliminary skirmish in a broader legal battle.

The former prince, who was stripped of his princely title by King Charles III last year, continues to receive a stipend from the royal household, though officials have indicated those funds cannot be used to finance his legal challenge. The police investigation originally focused on allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy, but later expanded to other possible matters. He was questioned for 11 hours before being released without charge.

The case marks the first arrest of a senior British royal in nearly four centuries and follows years of scrutiny over his association with Epstein, which has been a source of public controversy for the royal family.