King Charles 'won't fund Andrew's legal action against Thames Valley Police over Epstein files arrest'

Published: 12:06 EDT, 5 October 2026 | Updated: 12:39 EDT, 5 October 2026 The King’s private funds will not be used to finance Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s legal action against Thames Valley Police, it has been reported. Last night, it was revealed Andrew had brought a legal challenge against Thames Valley Police (TVP) and the Old Bailey over Epstein-related searches of his homes at Windsor and Sandringham.The force revealed today that the judicial review claim - understood to concern the lawfulness of search warrants and in essence acts as an appeal process - will begin on Thursday. Police combed through Andrew's possessions in February at Marsh Farm in Norfolk, when they arrested him on suspicion of misconduct in public office after materials were published suggesting Andrew allegedly shared sensitive information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while serving as a trade envoy.King Charles has been understood to have cut Prince Andrew off from previous funding in as early as 2024, following the fallout from Andrew's connection with the pedophile.Royal biographer Robert Hardman claimed at the time that Charles instructed his Keeper of the Privy Purse, the monarchy’s finance director, to sever his beleaguered younger brother’s annual personal allowance - believed to be in the region of £1 million a year - as well as his seven-figure private security detail.Earlier this year, it was reported that the disgraced former Duke of York was given £12million by the Royal Family to pay off Virginia Giuffre, however, Charles is understood to have not contributed.It appears that the King remains uninvolved financially with Andrew's judicial review claim. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaving Aylsham Police Station after he was released from custody in February King Charles pictured in September while meeting community leaders, firefighters, volunteers and landowners who played a vital role in containing the Glenmore and Abernethy wildfire A Thames Valley Police spokesman said earlier today: 'Whilst our investigation into misconduct in public office continues, we are engaged in legal proceedings in relation to warrants previously obtained from the Central Criminal Court.'As these legal proceedings are currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.'In highly secretive proceedings, judge Mr Justice Hilliard is to hear an application for at least some details of the review to be kept private.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.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 details of Andrew's claim - or how TVP and the Old Bailey may have acted unlawfully - remain unclear. He has strongly denied any wrongdoing.The arrest on Sandringham Estate - 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.The ex-prince was taken to Aylsham police station - about 40 miles away - and interviewed under caution, while plain clothes officers searched the property. Andrew was released under investigation 11 hours after his arrest.Meanwhile, in Windsor Great Park, TVP raided Royal Lodge, Andrew's home of more than 22 years. He had been forced to leave earlier that month following scrutiny over his links to Epstein.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.This is a breaking story, more to follow.