Thames Valley Police were concerned that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor might have attempted to prevent officers from entering his Sandringham home by stating it was the King's property, according to recently emerged legal documents. Senior officers reportedly feared that such an argument could necessitate separate legal permission, risking the loss of evidence.
The documents detail the background to Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police had sought warrants to search Wood Farm in Sandringham and Royal Lodge in Windsor on 18 February.
Lawyers for Mountbatten-Windsor successfully argued in court last week that these search warrants were unlawful. Mr Justice Hilliard confirmed at the High Court that both Mountbatten-Windsor and the police agreed the warrants were unlawful, though he noted this does not end the investigation.
The police were seeking paperwork, diaries, business records, and electronic devices related to Mountbatten-Windsor's time as Special Representative for Trade and Investment, as well as information concerning Jeffrey Epstein. Items seized during the search are still held by the police, with a further hearing scheduled for 2027 to determine their admissibility as evidence. The criminal investigation remains ongoing.