Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched legal action against Thames Valley Police over search warrants obtained shortly before his arrest earlier this year.
The former Prince Andrew was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office following information that emerged from the release of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
His lawyers are now seeking a judicial review of the search warrants used by police at properties connected to him, including Royal Lodge in Windsor and Sandringham.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that legal proceedings were under way.
“We are engaged in legal proceedings in relation to warrants previously obtained from the Central Criminal Court,” a police spokesperson said.
The force declined to comment further while the case remains before the courts.
The warrants were issued by a judge at the Central Criminal Court on 18 February, one day before Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday.
His legal challenge is directed against the chief constable of Thames Valley Police and the Central Criminal Court. A hearing is due to consider his attempt to have the warrants quashed, with the initial proceedings expected to take place in private while the court considers a police request to keep some documents confidential.
However, successfully challenging the warrants would not necessarily require police to return everything seized during the searches.
Criminal lawyer Nick Vamos, a former head of special crime at the Crown Prosecution Service, said police may in some circumstances be able to apply to retain material if there are grounds to seize it again.
Police spent several days searching Mountbatten-Windsor’s property at Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate and his former residence at Royal Lodge following his arrest.
The investigation followed revelations contained in Epstein-related documents released by the US Department of Justice. Among them were emails appearing to show official documents being shared by Mountbatten-Windsor with Epstein and others while he was serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
Mountbatten-Windsor had previously lost his royal titles following renewed scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein, including evidence suggesting their contact continued beyond the point at which he had publicly said their relationship had ended.
After his arrest, Mountbatten-Windsor was taken to Aylsham police station and detained for approximately 11 hours before being released under investigation.
The legal challenge represents his first significant public legal response since the arrest.
Thames Valley Police said its investigation remains ongoing and that officers have been working with the US Department of Justice to obtain information potentially relevant to the case.
Police have also indicated that allegations of sexual misconduct could be considered as part of the wider investigation into possible misconduct in public office.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to his association with Epstein.
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