Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor claims police took personal items during raids on his home

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor believes personal items were taken by police during raids of his home in February.

As a result, the king’s brother decided to launch legal action against officers from Thames Valley Police, The Telegraph UK reports.

Andrew, 66, was arrested on February 19 − which was also his birthday − on suspicion of misconduct in public office and questioned for 12 hours before being released under investigation.

Detectives carried out raids on his homes at Wood Farm, on the Sandringham estate, and Royal Lodge in Windsor across six days following allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.

The former Duke of York later discovered that detectives from Thames Valley Police had allegedly removed private and confidential material unconnected to the criminal investigation, according to The Telegraph UK.

His legal claim concerns the actions of officers when executing the search warrant and lawyers are seeking to establish whether the warrants were lawful.

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Along with challenging the police over their conduct, Andrew’s lawyers are asking London’s High Court to rule whether the granting of the warrant itself by an Old Bailey judge was lawful.

On Thursday, the High Court will hear Andrew’s claim before Mr Justice Hilliard. The force has applied to keep the details secret, restricting access to court documents.

It is unclear whether Andrew will attend the hearing.

If Andrew is successful and wins, Thames Valley Police could be forced to return all the material seized in the searches which could leave the police investigation in tatters.

No charges have been laid and the former prince was released under investigation. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.

The police investigation began following the release of court documents suggesting Andrew shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as Britain’s special envoy for international trade and investment between 2001 and 2011.

He is alleged to have forwarded official reports to Epstein regarding visits to Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and China, along with a confidential briefing note that detailed investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

A Buckingham Palace source said King Charles had no involvement in Andrew’s judicial review application, and it had been “made clear” to him that the six-figure allowance he receives from the king’s private purse should not be used to fund his High Court claim.

Andrew, who remains eighth-in-line to the British throne, was stripped of his royal titles and honours by the king and evicted from his in October last year over his past friendship with Epstein.