Former Prince Andrew Takes Legal Action Against Police Over Search Warrants in His February Arrest
Former Prince Andrew Takes Legal Action Against Police Over Search Warrants in His February Arrest
Simon PerryMon, October 5, 2026 at 12:28 PM UTC
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Former Prince Andrew attends Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle in April 2025Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty -
The former Prince Andrew is taking legal action against the police who arrested him on his 66th birthday on February 19
He is seeking a judicial review into the matter
King Charles’ younger brother was arrested amid scrutiny over his links with Jeffrey Epstein
The former Prince Andrew has launched legal action against the police who arrested him and searched his homes in February.
Andrew, 66, has lodged a judicial review asking a judge to review whether the circumstances of his arrest were lawful, PEOPLE has confirmed.
The former Duke of York is challenging the search warrants that were issued when he was arrested at Marsh Farm, his home on King Charles’ Sandringham estate in Norfolk, U.K., amid great publicity on his 66th birthday on February 19, 2026.
He was taken to a police station around 40 miles away and questioned by police investigating misconduct in public office and subsequently released at the end of the day, without charge.
The former Prince Andrew returning to his home in Norfolk following his arrest on February 19, 2026Credit: Peter Nicholls/Getty
On Oct. 5, a spokesperson for Thames Valley Police, who conducted the investigation, said in a statement, “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.”
The Daily Telegraph was the first to report the story late on Oct. 4, saying that Andrew’s lawyers were seeking a judicial review to examine whether the search warrants, issued by a top judge in London, were legal.
The outlet quoted a senior source at the Metropolitan Police in London, expressing “surprise at the arrest,” as the source queried why Thames Valley Police did not “invite him in for questioning under caution.”
The source told The Telegraph: “I am not sure if the Met [Metropolitan Police] had been leading this investigation, they would have taken the same approach.”
In the days after Andrew’s arrest in February, police conducted searches of his home at Sandringham and his former house, Royal Lodge, in Windsor, which he and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 66, had vacated.
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The Judiciary press office confirmed to PEOPLE that a hearing will take place on Thursday, Oct. 8, about the warrants, and that it will be private.
A police officer on guard near one of the entrances to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February 2026Credit: Peter Nicholls/Getty
The arrest and the searches came amid scrutiny of the former Duke of York’s association with Jeffrey Epstein. He has not been charged and has consistently denied wrongdoing regarding his associations with Epstein.
In the hours after Andrew’s arrest, the King issued a statement, expressing “the deepest concern” at the news of his brother’s arrest “and suspicion of misconduct in public office.”
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.”
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“In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Andrew stepped back from his public royal role in 2019 after a disastrous interview with the BBC about his ties to Epstein.
Royal Lodge, the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the Windsor Great ParkCredit: Shutterstock
In January 2022, his mother, Queen Elizabeth, revoked his military titles and patronages after a judge rejected his attempt to have Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre’s sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. The former royal, who has denied Giuffre’s allegations, settled with her in 2022. She died by suicide in April 2025.
In October 2025, King Charles announced that he was stripping his brother’s royal titles and honors. It was also announced that Andrew would leave Royal Lodge, his longtime residence in Windsor.
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