A court has ruled that search warrants used at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s two properties were unlawful, upholding his legal challenge to Thames Valley Police and the central criminal court, which granted the warrants. At the High Court, Thames Valley Police acknowledged that the warrants were unlawful and that officers had applied for them under the wrong statutory provision.

A judge in London said a “significant error” had been made in granting them. The warrants covered a home on the Sandringham Estate and Royal Lodge in Windsor.

The searches took place in February and were linked to an investigation connected to Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of misconduct in public office. The warrants led to Andrew’s arrest.

The ruling does not end the criminal investigation into Andrew. The judge said the misconduct investigation could continue, and police have retained material seized from his homes.