Former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched a legal challenge against police over search warrants used during an investigation that led to his arrest earlier this year.
According to the BBC, his judicial review targets Thames Valley Police and the Central Criminal Court, which authorised searches of his former home at Royal Lodge in Windsor and a property on the Sandringham estate.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, when a judge is expected to first consider police requests to keep some court documents private.
The legal action is Mountbatten-Windsor’s first major challenge against authorities since he was arrested on his 66th birthday in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
His arrest followed the release of US Department of Justice files linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The documents included emails that appeared to show official documents being shared while Mountbatten-Windsor was serving as a British trade envoy.
Following his arrest, police held him at Aylsham police station before releasing him under investigation.
Thames Valley Police has confirmed that it is involved in ongoing legal proceedings concerning the warrants but declined to comment further.
The force said its wider investigation remains active and is being supported by cooperation with US authorities. It has also indicated that the inquiry could expand to include allegations of sexual misconduct.
Mountbatten-Windsor has denied wrongdoing in connection with his association with Epstein.
Before his arrest, King Charles stripped him of his royal titles and prince status after details emerged showing that he had maintained contact with Epstein for longer than he had previously acknowledged.
He has since lost his titles, official duties and residence.