Police Feared Prince Andrew Would Claim King Owned Residence During Search Warrant
Legal documents have emerged detailing police apprehensions during their pursuit of a search warrant for Prince Andrew's residence, Royal Lodge, in connection with a civil sexual assault lawsuit. Officers expressed concern that the Duke of York could impede their efforts by claiming the property belonged to King Charles III, potentially delaying access to evidence.
The documents, made public following a US court order, outline police interest in gathering evidence relevant to allegations brought by Virginia Giuffre. Their focus included items such as diaries, electronic devices, and documents related to travel and communication, particularly those involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Police noted that Andrew, who has consistently denied the allegations, had been uncooperative with US legal processes. The fear was that invoking royal ownership of Royal Lodge, a property on the Crown Estate, would necessitate a more complex legal procedure involving the Crown Prosecution Service, thus creating a significant delay in obtaining the warrant. This concern underscores the unique challenges faced by law enforcement when investigating figures within the British monarchy, highlighting the potential for procedural obstacles to complicate justice.
