A London High Court judge ruled Thursday that search warrants executed against the homes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, were unlawful.

The decision came after Thames Valley Police conceded the warrants had been issued under the wrong statutory provision. The force acknowledged the error during a judicial review challenge brought by Mountbatten-Windsor.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard stated that both parties agreed the warrants were unlawful due to a significant error in their application and grant. The warrants had authorized searches of properties on the Sandringham estate and at Royal Lodge in Windsor in February, the day of Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Despite quashing the warrants, the judge emphasized that the ruling does not end the criminal investigation or render it unlawful overall. Police retain the seized material pending further proceedings scheduled for 2027 to determine whether they can lawfully keep it.

Thames Valley Police said in a statement that it accepted the warrants must be quashed but stressed the investigation into misconduct in public office remains active. The force noted it had presented all necessary information to the court initially and is seeking to retain the evidence.

Mountbatten-Windsor, who denies any wrongdoing, did not attend the hearing. The 66-year-old has faced scrutiny over his past association with Epstein, though he has expressed regret for the friendship in prior statements.

The case stems from documents released in Epstein-related litigation. Police carried out the raids on his 66th birthday in February 2026.