Police raids on Mountbatten-Windsor’s royal properties were unlawful

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

The High Court ruled that the February police raids on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's properties were unlawful due to improperly authorized search warrants that did not cover confidential government documents. This decision complicates the ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct in public office, with a future hearing set to decide whether the seized evidence can be retained.

The High Court has ruled that police raids on multiple properties belonging to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were unlawful. The former prince contested the legality of search warrants used by Thames Valley Police in February to search his residences at the Sandringham Estate and Royal Lodge prior to his arrest. The raids were part of an investigation into allegations that Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor, who served as the UK’s trade envoy, improperly shared sensitive information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr. Justice Hilliard, presiding over the case, found that a significant legal error occurred when the warrants were granted by a judge at the Old Bailey. Specifically, the warrants were issued under legislation that did not properly cover the type of material seized—documents obtained or created in the course of an official public office role, which are expected to be confidential. The judge described this error as sufficient to render the warrants, the subsequent searches, and the evidence seized unlawful.

Despite agreeing with the former Duke of York on the unlawfulness of the searches, Thames Valley Police have sought to retain the evidence collected during the raids. Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor opposes this, and a further private hearing regarding the retention of the seized material is scheduled for 2027. This continued legal uncertainty means the former prince may remain in limbo for some time before it is determined whether he will face charges.

Thames Valley Police confirmed that their investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his sixties from Norfolk is ongoing. The police emphasized that the quashing of the search warrants does not signal an end to the investigation or render the inquiry itself unlawful. A police representative said that while they accept the court’s decision to quash the warrants on legal grounds, it does not affect the substantive progress of their inquiry.

Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on his 66th birthday in February, interviewed under caution, and then released without charges at that time. He has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing. The challenge to the search warrants came after the police inquiry intensified, with the court hearing that the warrants were not authorized to cover confidential material linked to Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s government role.

The case highlights ongoing legal complexities surrounding investigations into alleged misconduct by public figures, particularly regarding the scope and limits of police search powers related to government-held confidential information.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.