Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is taking legal action against Thames Valley Police in a bid to quash search warrants that led to his arrest. The move comes almost eight months after he was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK's trade envoy.
Legal challenge over search warrants
The former Duke of York has not spoken publicly about his arrest. The legal claim challenges whether Thames Valley Police acted lawfully over the searches of properties relating to his arrest in February. It is due to be heard at the High Court on Thursday afternoon, and it is not known whether Mr Mountbatten-Windsor will attend the hearing.
The last royal to challenge the lawfulness of criminal proceedings against them was Charles I in 1649, who argued against the legality of trying him for treason.
Arrest and aftermath
Andrew was arrested on his 66th birthday and detained for 12 hours while being quizzed by police. His former grand Royal Lodge home was searched. A photograph of him looking shell-shocked as he was driven away from a Norfolk police station captured his state of mind at the time.
Since then, he has mainly stayed at his new home of Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate, only being pictured fleetingly either driving his car or walking his dogs. It is understood that he has not had any contact with his older brother the King since then and is said to have felt to have been 'living in limbo' while detectives complete their investigation into his conduct.
Impact on the Royal Family
The saga involving his arrest continues to come back and haunt King Charles and the rest of the Royal Family. After turbulent times for the House of Windsor in recent months, if they thought the 'Andrew problem' of him being in the headlines was going to quietly go away, it seems they would be firmly mistaken.
