Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's allies urge him to challenge King as 'long overdue fightback' gathers pace after unlawful raids ruling
From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026.
Friends and 'Turnip Toff' allies of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor are now openly urging him to confront King Charles directly, emboldened by his High Court victory after Mr Justice Hilliard ruled Thames Valley Police used unlawful search warrants to raid his Sandringham and Royal Lodge homes in February. The former Duke of York felt "vindicated" after police conceded a "significant error" in the warrant applications, with the searches, warrants and all seized material formally quashed. A second hearing, expected in 2027, will decide whether police can retain the confiscated documents and electronic equipment — leaving his fate unresolved for months more.
Thames Valley Police insists its misconduct-in-public-office investigation is pressing ahead 'at pace' despite the ruling, with the criminal probe focused on Andrew's alleged sharing of sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as trade envoy.
Buckingham Palace has insisted none of Andrew's reported £1 million-a-year allowance from King Charles funded the legal fight — though royal commentators say they are 'sceptical' of that claim.
A friend said: 'He's been under fire for 15 long years and yet has never been charged — guilty until proven innocent is not how things should work.'