Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched legal action against Thames Valley Police in an attempt to quash the search warrants that led to his arrest earlier this year. A judicial spokesperson has confirmed that a private hearing will take place at the High Court on Thursday. It is not known whether the King’s brother will attend.
The former Duke of York was arrested on February 19, 2026, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office during his years as the UK’s trade envoy. A judge at the Old Bailey had issued the warrants, which allowed officers to search his home on the Sandringham Estate as well as Royal Lodge, where he used to live. He was interviewed under caution and released under investigation over allegations that he passed sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein while in the trade role.
The question of who pays for the challenge has already come up. Andrew receives an annual allowance of undisclosed size from the King’s private funds, but a Palace source said it had been made clear that the money should not be used to fund the judicial review. The same source stressed that Buckingham Palace plays no part in deciding his legal strategy.
Within hours of the court case becoming public, King Charles released a message for the first National Cadets Week. The monarch, who is head of the armed forces, said opportunities to build “resilience, responsibility and a sense of purpose” had never mattered more for young people. The Cadet Forces count more than 137,000 members aged 12 to 18, making them one of the largest youth movements in the UK. They are sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and offer military-themed, adventure and community activities.
The King’s tribute covered the five military cadet forces along with the National Fire Cadets, the Volunteer Police Cadets and St John Ambulance Cadets, and he thanked volunteers, families and employers for their “duty and service”. Charles founded Youth United in 2009 to link the country’s main uniformed youth groups. His message coincided with the opening of a new Joint Cadet Centre in Hastings, East Sussex, attended by veterans and people minister Calvin Bailey. Attention now turns to Thursday’s hearing.
