Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Summoned to Testify in High Court, a First for a Royal in Over 150 Years
The trial is set to begin in mid-November, with Andrew's testimony possibly delivered in person or via video.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been served with a High Court summons to testify in a fraud trial regarding two significant payments from Turkish millionaire Nebahat Isbilen's account. His testimony is crucial, marking a significant moment of legal accountability for a royal. Although no accusations have been made against him, the court seeks clarity on the nature of these transactions, which may shed light on his financial dealings during his retreat from public duties. This development makes him the first royal since the 19th Century to be held as a witness.
Mountbatten-Windsor will testify in a fraud trial at the High Court around 15 December, in a case involving allegations by a wealthy woman against her former financial adviser. Although he is not accused, he may face challenging questions about financial arrangements, including a $1,010,152.50 (£750,000) payment he reportedly received. This marks the first time he has faced public questioning since a 2019 BBC Newsnight interview. The trial is set to begin in mid-November, with Mountbatten-Windsor possibly testifying in person or via video. Ongoing queries about his finances also involve Nebahat Isbilen, a Turkish woman who alleges her former adviser, Selman Turk, misled her and exploited her wealth, claims Turk denies, placing an additional spotlight on Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct.
Isbilen claims Turk misled her into paying $1,010,152.50 (£750,000) to Mountbatten-Windsor, believing it was for passport assistance. Turk denies this, saying the payment was a voluntary gift to foster goodwill with the then Duke.
The payments occurred just before Mountbatten-Windsor's 2019 public interview, after which he resigned from royal duties. In 2021, Isbilen's lawyers contacted Mountbatten-Windsor, leading to the repayment of funds. Legal documents highlight a $1,034,458 (£768,000) payment from Isbilen's account in January 2020, which Turk claims was a loan to Mountbatten-Windsor for a Swiss chalet, a claim Isbilen disputes and has previously contested.
Meanwhile, Turk and Mountbatten-Windsor met in 2019 at the Pitch@Palace event, which eventually led to the trio coming together at various social events. Further, Justice Adam Johnson emphasized that Turk must have access to pertinent evidence, given the seriousness of the allegations. Turk aims to utilize Mountbatten-Windsor's evidence. His representatives, Janes Solicitors, assert that he denies the allegations of dishonesty and anticipates vindication in court.
