Based on reporting by Fedir Kryshtovskyi (UA.NEWS).
Why Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was summoned to court
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew who stripped himself of his royal titles in 2022, has been summoned to appear as a witness in a London High Court civil case. The legal action involves allegations of fraud and a specific financial transaction made in 2019. According to PBS NewsHour, British media confirmed the witness summons, marking a significant legal development for the former royal.
What happened in the lawsuit
The case was filed by Nebahat Evyap Isbilen, a Turkish citizen, against her former adviser, Selman Turk. Isbilen claims that Turk misappropriated tens of millions of pounds sterling from her funds. A central point of contention is a payment of £750,000 (approximately $1 million) that Isbilen states she transferred to Mountbatten-Windsor in 2019. She alleges that Turk misled her regarding this transfer. Mountbatten-Windsor is not a party to the lawsuit; he returned the funds in 2021.
Turk’s defense, as reported by the source, is that Isbilen approved the payment. He claims she hoped Mountbatten-Windsor would use his connections to assist her husband, who has been imprisoned in Turkey since 2015. Isbilen maintains that her husband is a victim of political persecution. Last month, a High Court judge permitted the summons, allowing Mountbatten-Windsor to be called to testify about the payments he allegedly received from parties involved in the proceedings.
Historical context of royal witness summons
Isbilen’s lawyers have described this as potentially the first instance since 1870 in which a member of the British royal family has received a witness summons. The previous comparable case involved the future King Edward VII, who was then the Prince of Wales. He was summoned as a witness in the divorce case of Charles Mordaunt, a baronet and member of parliament. Edward accepted the summons and denied having an improper relationship with Mordaunt’s wife, Harriet. This historical parallel underscores the rarity of such legal proceedings involving senior royals in modern times.
What this means for the former prince
For observers of the British monarchy, this summons represents a continued legal scrutiny of Mountbatten-Windsor’s private financial dealings. Although he is not being sued, his testimony may be pivotal in resolving the civil dispute between Isbilen and Turk. It is important to note that his appearance in court is not guaranteed; he may apply to have the summons set aside. The case highlights the complexities of high-profile civil litigation where third-party figures, even those with historical royal status, are drawn into testimony regarding financial transactions.
Key facts
Individual summoned: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (former Prince Andrew).
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