Former-Prince Andrew 'is bringing legal challenge against courts and police over his Epstein files arrest'

Published: 18:00 EDT, 4 October 2026 | Updated: 21:08 EDT, 4 October 2026 Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has brought a legal challenge against the courts and police over Epstein-related searches of his homes at Windsor and Sandringham.The disgraced former prince has served Thames Valley Police (TVP) and the Old Bailey with a judicial review claim - understood to concern the lawfulness of search warrants.Police combed through Andrew's possessions in February at Marsh Farm in Norfolk, when they arrested him on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.Materials had been published beforehand to suggest Andrew had shared sensitive information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The former Duke of York has asked a judge to assess whether Thames Valley Police's decision to raid his former residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor and at his home on Sandringham Estate was lawful.In highly secretive proceedings, there is set to be a hearing behind closed doors this week, with judge Mr Justice Hilliard to hear an application for at least some details of the review to be kept private.It would be the first time a royal has challenged the lawfulness of criminal proceedings in nearly 400 years, since the trial of Charles I in 1649.The arrest - which took place on Andrew's 66th birthday - was the first of a British royal in more than 350 years and perhaps the most extraordinary in modern history. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaving Aylsham Police Station after he was released from custody in February The former Duke of York looked shellshocked after spending 11 hours in police custody At 8am, police drove into the Sandringham Estate, in Norfolk, in unmarked cars where the royal had been living for a fortnight.The ex-prince was taken to Aylsham police station - about 40 miles away - and interviewed under caution, while plain clothes officers searched the property.At the same time, TVP descended on Royal Lodge, the mansion at Windsor Great Park that Andrew called home for 22 years.He had been forced to leave earlier that month following scrutiny over his links to Epstein.Several photos had also been published of Andrew riding horses, smiling and waving at members of the public, which was met with fury by both the British people and reportedly his brother King Charles, who is understood to have then evicted him from the property.Fergie was also asked to leave the Royal Lodge alongside Mountbatten-Windsor after 18 years of residence.She is believed to have spent much of her time in hiding across Europe since the pair were stripped of their royal titles last October in the wake of intense public scrutiny over Andrew's ties to Epstein. Andrew was released under investigation 11 hours after his arrest.While being driven from the police station, paparazzi took a now infamous photo of a slumped Andrew trying to hide from the waiting cameras.The search at Sandringham ended the same day as his release, but continued at Windsor until the following week.The warrants for these searches were sought by TVP and granted by the Old Bailey.Andrew served as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 until 2011, when he stepped down amid the controversy over his friendship with Epstein.His arrest came after emails released as part of the Epstein files suggested Andrew may have shared confidential information with the financier about his official work.It has been alleged Andrew forwarded reports to the paedophile about his visits to Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam as well as allegedly sharing a briefing note on investment opportunities in Afghanistan's Helmand province.It emerged in May that detectives investigating Andrew could consider allegations of sexual misconduct as part of their inquiry into potential offences.It is understood that Andrew's legal team are trying to make a case that these searches were unlawful, with an application made earlier this year being recently granted by a High Court judge.A judicial review, in effect, acts as an appeal process. It involves a judge examining the lawfulness of a decision or action by a public body.The details of Andrew's claim - or how TVP and the Old Bailey may have acted unlawfully - remain unclear.He has strongly denied any wrongdoing.