Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been warned not to use the king’s private money to fund his legal action against Thames Valley police. The former Duke of York is attempting to quash search warrants that led to his arrest, with a private high court hearing due to take place on Thursday. Mountbatten-Windsor receives an annual stipend – the amount of which has not been disclosed – provided by King Charles from his private funds, but a palace source told reporters it had been made clear this should not be used to fund the judicial review.
Mountbatten-Windsor’s legal defence was a matter for him and his lawyers, and Buckingham Palace had no role in determining its strategy or actions, the source is reported to have said. The late queen’s second son was arrested on his 66th birthday earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after allegations he had shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy. The Telegraph previously reported that Mountbatten-Windsor had been granted permission to challenge whether Thames Valley police acted lawfully over the searches relating to his arrest in February.
A judge at the Old Bailey issued warrants that allowed police to raid his residence on the Sandringham estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge. On Monday, a judicial spokesperson confirmed a hearing in Mountbatten-Windsor’s legal claim is due to take place at 2pm on Thursday at the high court, before Mr Justice Hilliard. When Andrew was arrested on 19 February, the king issued a written statement saying “the law must take its course”.
The former duke, who now lives on the king’s private Sandringham estate in Norfolk, was interviewed under caution before being released under investigation. Police began their searches of the properties on the same day, with the force confirming on 24 February that they had ended. The judicial spokesperson said the hearing would concern an attempt by Thames Valley police to restrict access to court documents, with the hearing to begin in private.
It is not known whether Andrew will attend the hearing. A Thames Valley police spokesperson said: “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.
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