Ex-Prince Andrew search warrants ‘illegal’ however he is nonetheless left sweating
In a win for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the search warrants used by Thames Valley Police to search his home have been deemed unlawful. But he is not out of the woods yet
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The police warrants to search two of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s properties have been deemed unlawful. A High Court Judge said the ex-prince and Thames Valley Police the court orders should be quashed.
Back in February, the police dramatically searched Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate and his former home Royal Lodge in Windsor. While this will be seen as a win for the former Royal, the judge made clear Andrew is not out of the woods yet as the investigation continues.
At a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, which the former Duke of York did not attend, Mr Justice Hilliard said that “agreement was reached between the claimant and Thames Valley Police that the search warrants were unlawful”.
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor after his arrest(Image: REUTERS)
But the judge also said that “the fact that the search warrants were quashed does not bring an investigation to an end, or mean that the whole of the investigation was unlawful”.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “On July 22, the High Court quashed search warrants granted on 18 February 2026 for two properties in Norfolk and Berkshire that were searched as part of Thames Valley Police’s ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk.
“The agreement that led to the quashing of the warrants relates specifically to a decision made by the court regarding the legal basis for these and is not a judgement on our ongoing investigation.
“We ensured the court was presented with all the necessary information and paperwork to inform their decision, following the correct legal processes throughout.
It will be seen as a win for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor(Image: Bav Media)
“We accept the position that the initial court’s decision to issue warrants under the specific piece of legislation used was incorrect and therefore these must be legally quashed.
“Legal proceedings are currently ongoing to decide how material seized during the searches will be managed and whether we can lawfully retain it in support of our ongoing investigation.
“Our investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk remains ongoing, and we continue to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry to effectively and fairly progress this investigation.
“Due to these ongoing legal proceedings, we cannot currently provide further comment,” the spokesperson said.
