Police sought warrants to search properties linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, citing concerns he or his legal team might refuse entry or attempt to destroy evidence, according to court documents released following a High Court ruling. The searches, carried out on February 19 at the former prince’s residences at Sandringham and Windsor, were part of an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office related to his associations with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Detective Chief Inspector involved in the case expressed uncertainty about whether Andrew, 66, or his legal representatives would allow police access voluntarily or might frustrate parts of the search. Although officers believed the King, who owns the Sandringham estate, would likely permit entry, they were concerned about legal ambiguities around Andrew’s status at the property and the possibility that his team might argue the need for separate permission to enter.
The police secured the warrants on the grounds of an “unacceptable risk of loss or destruction of evidence,” a standard justification in cases where notifying a suspect before a search could compromise the investigation. Documents revealed that authorities feared material relevant to their inquiry might be hidden or destroyed if Andrew were tipped off.
Andrew denies all allegations against him. The High Court recently found the warrants were granted under an incorrect statutory provision, rather than the specific legal framework applied for material potentially subject to privilege or confidentiality. As a result, the court ruled the searches illegal. Thames Valley Police have launched a separate legal challenge to retain the seized materials using an alternative legal mechanism.
The case involves allegations that Andrew may have disclosed official reports of overseas trade missions to Epstein shortly after receiving them, including trips to Singapore, Vietnam, China, and Hong Kong. He is also accused of briefing Epstein on investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s Helmand province in late 2010 and of facilitating meetings with private investment firms in early 2011 that may have involved Epstein.
Ahead of the searches, public statements from the Palace and the King affirmed support for the police investigation. The Palace indicated readiness to cooperate if approached by Thames Valley Police, while the King emphasized the need for the law to take its course. Despite these endorsements, the legal uncertainty surrounding access to Andrew’s properties and his status complicated the warrant application process.
The investigation into Andrew’s conduct remains ongoing, unaffected by the ruling on the legality of the searches. Authorities continue to pursue inquiries related to his connections with Epstein as part of a broader inquiry into allegations of abuse and misconduct linked to the late financier.