Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Sues Thames Valley Police, Demands Officers Reenact Arrest as Royal Command Performance
The former prince has launched legal action against Thames Valley Police over his February arrest, but his remedy is a nightly theatrical reenactment of the raid, performed by the same officers, for paying audiences at Sandringham.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched legal action against Thames Valley Police over his February arrest, and his sole demand is that the same officers who detained him reenact the entire operation every evening at Sandringham for a paying public.
Under the plan, filed with the High Court, a stage will be built on the north lawn of the estate, and the officers who searched Marsh Farm and Royal Lodge will be required to perform the raid in period costume, beginning with the 19 February knock and ending with the former prince's release under investigation. The performance will run nightly except Sundays, with a matinee on bank holidays.
Thames Valley Police confirmed a judicial review is under way but declined to comment on the artistic elements. A spokesman said only that «the force is considering its position regarding the choreography.»
The production has already changed the neighbourhood. Local builders have been hired to construct a replica custody suite, and a ticket office has opened in the village post office. Coach operators have added Sandringham to their royal heritage tours, and the parish council has voted to extend pub opening hours to accommodate interval crowds.
Buckingham Palace has not commented. The former prince's legal team says the reenactment is necessary to establish what the police did, and that any officer who declines to perform will be asked to explain why in open court.
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