Police feared needing King's permission to search Andrew

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 22:02 · Archive

Thames Valley Police acknowledged search warrants used to raid Prince Andrew's homes in February were unlawful.

Thames Valley Police has acknowledged that search warrants used to raid Prince Andrew's residence on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge, in February were unlawful. Andrew challenged the warrants, and legal documents from subsequent High Court proceedings revealed that police feared evidence could be lost if they had to seek permission from Buckingham Palace first.

Detectives were searching for 'paperwork, diaries, business records or other documentary evidence' of Andrew's time as Special Representative for Trade and Investment. According to Andrew's lawyers, police told the Old Bailey judge that Andrew or his legal team might argue the property belonged to the King and that separate legal permission should be sought. Police added that obtaining such consent 'may not be expeditious' and seeking it in advance 'may frustrate the nature and purpose of the search'.

Andrew was arrested on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as UK trade envoy. He was interviewed under caution, released under investigation, and denies wrongdoing. The police investigation remains ongoing.

Mr Justice Hilliard said that while Andrew and Thames Valley Police have reached an 'agreement' that the warrants were unlawful, police have since launched a bid to retain evidence gathered during the searches. Andrew opposes this bid, with a hearing scheduled for 2027 to be held in private.

How it is being reported

• Police feared they would need permission from King CharlesPolice feared they would need permission from King Charles III to to search Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's properties, legal documents have suggested.Oxford Mail · 15 Oct, 21:00
• Police feared they would need permission from King CharlesPolice feared they would need permission from King Charles III to to search Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's properties, legal documents have suggested.Oxfordshire Guardian · 15 Oct, 21:00

In this story: Prince Andrew · King Charles III · Jeffrey Epstein · Thames Valley Police · Sandringham Estate · Royal Lodge

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