Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has scored a major legal victory after a High Court judge ruled that the search warrants used to raid his homes were unlawful.
The dramatic ruling came after the former Duke of York challenged the legality of the police operation that saw officers search properties linked to him earlier this year.
The warrants covered his residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and his former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor.
But despite the courtroom victory, the wider police investigation is still alive.
HIGH COURT BOMBSHELL
Mr Justice Hilliard ruled that the warrants had been improperly issued.
Thames Valley Police accepted that the wrong statutory provision had been used when the search powers were granted.
The warrants have therefore been quashed.
The ruling represents a significant victory for Andrew, who had launched a judicial review challenging the legality of the searches.
But the judge made one thing crystal clear:
The ruling does not end the criminal investigation.
Mr Justice Hilliard said that quashing the warrants did not mean the entire investigation was unlawful.
POLICE RAIDS AT ROYAL PROPERTIES
The searches took place in February after Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Police searched his former Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, as well as his home on the Sandringham Estate.
The investigation relates to allegations concerning Andrew’s links to the late Jeffrey Epstein and claims that sensitive information may have been shared during Andrew’s time as the UK’s trade envoy.
Andrew has denied wrongdoing. He was questioned under caution before being released under investigation.
THE FIGHT OVER SEIZED MATERIAL
The legal battle isn’t finished yet.
Police are now facing another question:
Can they legally keep the material seized during the raids?
Thames Valley Police has said legal proceedings are continuing over how the seized material should be handled and whether it can lawfully be retained as part of the investigation.
That issue is expected to be considered at a future hearing.
ANDREW’S LEGAL GAMBLE PAYS OFF
Andrew’s decision to challenge the warrants has now produced a clear result.
The High Court has confirmed that the search warrants were unlawful.
However, the ruling does not amount to a finding that Andrew has been cleared of the allegations being investigated.
The police investigation remains active.
That leaves the former royal facing a very different battle:
He has won the fight over the raids — but the bigger investigation continues.
A ROYAL LEGAL DRAMA WITH MORE TO COME
The case has placed extraordinary attention on the use of police search powers in a high-profile investigation involving a former senior member of the Royal Family.
For Andrew, the ruling provides a significant legal setback for the police operation.
For investigators, however, the case is far from finished.
The next major showdown could focus on the evidence already seized — and whether police will ultimately be allowed to keep using it.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Andrew has won the legal challenge over the search warrants.
The High Court has ruled that the warrants used to raid his Sandringham and Royal Lodge properties were unlawful.
But there is no final end to the wider investigation.
The warrants have been quashed. The police probe goes on.