What Did Police Seize From Andrew's Royal Lodge? Former Prince Challenges Search Warrants in Court
Royal Lodge was searched for several days by police following Andrew's arrest in February
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched a High Court challenge over the warrants used to search Royal Lodge and his Sandringham residence after his February arrest, putting fresh attention on what police actually took.
Reports from the raids described officers removing documents and digital material, including electronic devices, but Thames Valley Police has never released a detailed inventory.
However, the former prince now wants the warrants quashed as police continue investigating suspected misconduct in public office.
What Did Police Seize From Andrew's Royal Lodge?
Detectives searched Royal Lodge for several days following Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest on 19 February, while officers also searched his home at Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate.
Reports said documents were removed during the searches, with digital hardware also reported as evidence being examined. However, police have not publicly identified computers or devices seized from Royal Lodge.
That distinction matters because the legality of the warrants, rather than a disclosed list of evidence, is now at the centre of Mountbatten-Windsor's judicial review.
The warrants were issued by a judge at the Central Criminal Court on 18 February, one day before his arrest. The Judicial Office confirmed that his application seeks a judicial review to quash those warrants.
Why Andrew Is Challenging the Search Warrants
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office after information emerged from US Department of Justice files concerning Jeffrey Epstein.
The investigation centres on allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive information with Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy. He was questioned for around 11 hours at Aylsham police station before being released under investigation. He has not been charged and has consistently denied wrongdoing relating to Epstein.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the dispute, saying it was 'engaged in legal proceedings in relation to warrants previously obtained from the Central Criminal Court.' The force declined further comment while proceedings were ongoing.
According to reports, a hearing is scheduled for Thursday before Mr Justice Hilliard. It is expected to begin in private, with police seeking restrictions on access to some documents connected to the case.
What Happens to Evidence if Andrew Wins?
Even a successful challenge would not automatically mean everything obtained during the searches must be returned.
Nick Vamos, a former head of special crime at the Crown Prosecution Service and now a partner at Peters & Peters, told the BBC that police can sometimes apply to the Crown Court to retain material if they have grounds to seize it again. A more fundamental defect in how a warrant was obtained could have greater consequences.
Meanwhile, the underlying investigation remains active. Thames Valley Police has previously said it is working with the US Department of Justice for information relevant to the inquiry.
According to reports, King Charles is not financing the court challenge. A royal source said the private allowance provided to Mountbatten-Windsor should not be used for the judicial review.
Furthermore, the exact contents of what police removed from Royal Lodge remain undisclosed, making the court fight significant not only for the warrants themselves but also for evidence gathered during an extraordinary police investigation involving a former senior member of the Royal Family.
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