Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is reportedly "convinced" he will clear his name after launching legal action against Thames Valley Police. The legal battle is part of a bid to quash search warrants which led to his arrest on his 66th birthday in February.
High Court hearing due this week
A high court hearing is due to take place on Thursday, according to a judicial spokesperson. The Telegraph previously reported that the former Duke of York had been granted permission to challenge the force's decision to carry out the searches relating to his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The investigation followed allegations that the royal shared sensitive information with billionaire financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK's trade envoy. Andrew has strongly denied these allegations.
Friend says Andrew is 'upbeat'
A friend of Andrew, who is now living like a recluse on the King's Norfolk estate, said: "He seems incredibly buoyant despite everything he has been through and is really upbeat. He is utterly convinced that one day he will be completely exonerated. He thinks this is the first step towards that."
Following his arrest, police spent several days searching his former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, and collecting evidence. Andrew has since become the first royal to challenge the legality of criminal proceedings since Charles I in 1649.
Warrants covered two properties
In addition to his former home in Windsor, the warrants, issued by an Old Bailey judge, authorised a raid on his current home at the Sandringham estate. It is not known whether Andrew will attend the hearing this week. King Charles is refusing to pay for any of the legal costs.
Speaking ahead of the hearing, Nick Vamos, a criminal lawyer at Peters & Peters and former head of special crime at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Even if Andrew succeeds in having the search warrants quashed, that would not necessarily be the victory it might first appear."
"The High Court can quash search warrants on various grounds, most commonly where the police misled, or failed to provide all relevant evidence to, the Court that issued them," the expert explained. He added that if the police lost on a technical error, they could be allowed to keep what they obtained during the search.
"The police can apply back to the Crown Court to retain the material if they have grounds to immediately seize it again," he added.
Police statement and wider allegations
Thames Valley Police said in a statement on Monday: "Whilst our investigation into misconduct in public office continues, we are engaged in legal proceedings in relation to warrants previously obtained from the Central Criminal Court. As these legal proceedings are currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."
Andrew's arrest also covers corruption and improper interference, conflict of interest, perverting the course of justice, dishonesty or fraudulent conduct, and misconduct leading to personal gain. The King stripped his brother of both his right to be a prince and his dukedom over his association with the late paedophile at the end of last year.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his links to Epstein. As well as Andrew, his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, has also been keeping a low profile over her connection to the late sex offender. It was recently reported that Sarah had been offered a seven-figure offer for an explosive autobiography.
Insiders insist Ferguson is "on a mission" to rescue her reputation. One source said: "Sarah wants to set the record straight about everything and earn some money to resolve her financial issues. There has been a secret bidding war, and a deal is close to being secured. The notes are compelling, and the bidders are excited. Fergie is ever the optimist and believes she can be forgiven and welcomed back."
