Ex-Prince Andrew Gets Witness Summons In Civil Fraud Case, First UK Royal In 156 Years

Former British Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been served with a witness summons in a civil fraud case, potentially making him the first member of the British royal family in 156 years to be formally called to give evidence in court.

The summons requires the former prince to testify in a case being heard at London's High Court over allegations of financial fraud involving Turkish businessman and former financial adviser Selman Turk. According to reports, Andrew could be required to give evidence around December 15, when the trial is expected to begin. However, he can still apply to have the summons set aside, meaning his appearance is not guaranteed.

The lawsuit was filed by Turkish national Nebahat Evyap Isbilen, who accuses Turk of misappropriating tens of millions of pounds from her wealth. She alleges that Turk misled her over a £750,000 (approximately $1 million) payment arranged for Andrew in 2019.

Isbilen claims she believed the payment was connected to Andrew's assistance in helping her obtain a new passport after she left Turkey. Her husband has been imprisoned in the country since 2015, and she maintains that he is a victim of political persecution. However, Turk has claimed that the payment was authorised by Isbilen because she hoped Andrew could use his connections to help her husband.

The payment was reportedly described to Isbilen's bankers as a wedding gift for Andrew's daughter, Princess Beatrice, who married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020. Andrew repaid the £750,000 in 2021 and is not accused of wrongdoing in the civil fraud case. Turk has also denied the allegations against him.

The development marks a rare moment in British royal history. Isbilen's lawyers believe this is the first time since 1870 that a member of the royal family has received a witness summons. In that year, the future King Edward VII, then the Prince of Wales, was called to testify in a divorce case involving Charles Mordaunt, a baronet and member of Parliament. He accepted the summons and denied having an improper relationship with Mordaunt's wife, Harriet.

Meanwhile, Andrew is facing separate legal scrutiny over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Several British police forces have been investigating the former royal family following the release of millions of pages of documents by the US Department of Justice earlier this year.

In late 2025, King Charles III stripped Andrew of his princely title as the monarchy faced mounting controversy over his association with Epstein.