Prince Andrew launches lawsuit against Thames Valley Police over Epstein-linked arrest

Prince Andrew has filed a lawsuit against Thames Valley Police over his February arrest on suspicion of misconduct in office, stemming from documents released by the US Justice Department regarding Jeffrey Epstein. He is challenging the lawfulness of the police action, including search warrants that allowed raids on his residences. Andrew denies any wrongdoing and regrets his friendship with Epstein.

Prince Andrew, formally Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has launched a legal action against Thames Valley Police over his arrest in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in office. The arrest was based on documents released by the US Justice Department concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew is asking a High Court judge to determine whether the police force's action towards him was lawful. He has lodged a judicial review specifically challenging the search warrants that allowed police to raid his home on the Sandringham Estate and his former residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor. Andrew was questioned all day by detectives from Thames Valley Police after being detained. The police force said it was looking into allegations that he had passed documents to Epstein while working as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. The former prince was forced to quit all official royal duties in 2019 over his ties with Epstein and was stripped by his older brother, King Charles, of his titles and honors last October amid further revelations about their relationship. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and said he regrets their friendship. Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and Thames Valley Police and Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to requests for comment.