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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Challenges Police Arrest Over Epstein Documents
By Drooid · · How we work
Legal Challenge Over Arrest
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, has filed a judicial review seeking a court determination on the lawfulness of the search warrants that led to his February arrest. The legal action targets Thames Valley Police, which detained him on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly leaking confidential government documents to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the United Kingdom’s special representative for trade and investment from 2001 to 2011. The former royal was questioned for 12 hours before being released, and the police have confirmed they are engaged in legal proceedings concerning the warrants.
Background and Context
The investigation stems from documents released by the U.S. Justice Department earlier this year that suggested Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential material with Epstein. The Telegraph reported that the prince lodged the judicial review in response to the warrants that authorized raids on his Sandringham Estate home and his former residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor. He was stripped of his royal titles and honours by King Charles in October 2025 after further revelations about his relationship with Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing and said he regrets his friendship with the financier.
Official Statements and Responses
Thames Valley Police confirmed that the force is involved in legal proceedings related to the issuance of the search warrants but offered no further comment. Buckingham Palace did not respond to requests for comment. The Telegraph and The Hill noted that U.S. investigators have refused to provide an unredacted version of the Epstein files, complicating the British probe. The Hill also recorded that Virginia Giuffre, who alleged Epstein trafficked her to the former Duke of York, died by suicide in April 2025, and that Mountbatten-Windsor settled her 2022 civil lawsuit.
Upcoming Hearing
Britain’s judicial office announced that a private hearing will be held on Thursday following the request for review, as reported on October 5. The High Court of Justice in London is expected to consider whether additional documents related to the case should be disclosed. The outcome will determine whether the police’s use of the warrants stands or if they must be invalidated, potentially shaping future investigations into the Epstein-related disclosures.