British police have confirmed that the search warrants obtained to investigate properties linked to Prince Andrew, Duke of York, were unlawfully issued and must be quashed. Despite this development, the investigation into the younger brother of King Charles remains active.
Prince Andrew, 66, was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, connected to his association with the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Searches were conducted at his residences in Sandringham, eastern England, and Windsor. The arrest of the royal, who is eighth in line to the throne, was unprecedented in recent history, with images of the visibly distressed former prince leaving the police station gaining global attention.
Following his arrest, Prince Andrew challenged the legality of the search warrants, seeking to have them quashed. Thames Valley Police have now acknowledged that the courts did not properly grant the warrants under the specific legislation used. A police spokesperson stated, “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 ongoing to determine how the material seized during the searches will be handled and whether it can be lawfully retained to support the continuing investigation. At a hearing in London’s High Court, Judge Nicholas Hilliard noted that the police are applying to keep the seized property, a move opposed by Prince Andrew, with a resolution expected next year. Thames Valley Police confirmed that only items unrelated to the investigation have been returned to the former royal.
Although the quashing of the warrants is a setback for the police, it does not halt the investigation, which was initiated following the release of millions of documents by the US Department of Justice concerning Epstein. Prince Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and expressed regret over their friendship.
The charge of misconduct in public office, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, encompasses a range of serious offenses, including corruption, sexual misconduct, and the improper sharing of confidential information. Authorities have described the investigation as lengthy and highly complex, focusing on Prince Andrew’s tenure as a British special representative for trade from 2001 to 2011.
In 2019, Prince Andrew stepped down from all official royal duties due to his Epstein connections and was subsequently stripped of his titles and honors by King Charles last October following further disclosures about their relationship. Epstein died by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019.
Separately, a Buckingham Palace source revealed that Prince Andrew has been informed that funds provided from the King’s private resources should not be used to finance his legal challenge.
